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And I cried—“It was surely October

On this very night of last year That I journeyed—I journeyed down here— That I brought a dread burden down here— On this night of all nights in the year, Oh, what demon has tempted me here? Well I know, now, this dim lake of Auber— This misty mid region of Weir— Well I know, now, this dank tarn of Auber— In the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir.”

Said we, then—the two, then—“Ah, can it

Have been that the woodlandish ghouls— The pitiful, the merciful ghouls— To bar up our way and to ban it From the secret that lies in these wolds— From the thing that lies hidden in these wolds— Had drawn up the spectre of a planet From the limbo of lunary souls— This sinfully scintillant planet From the Hell of the planetary souls?” —Edgar Allen Poe To ———. Ulalume: A Ballad

3BOOK OF SORROWS: PREFACE

The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery,

and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it. - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Secrets by their very nature are an effectual contrivance of horror.

Ever since Horace Walpole first penned The Castle of Otranto, thesecret has been a cornerstone of the Gothic genre that has grown into the horror literature we know and love today. Secrets can be extremely dangerous, whether they remain hidden or are inopportunely revealed. It should be no surprise that the Demiplane of Dread is a land of many secrets. The Kargatane are pleased to present the third annual RavenloftNetbook, The Book of Secrets. Herein lie the secrets of many talented Ravenloft® and Masque of the Red Death® fans. We have dutifullycollected their secrets for several months, and now choose to reveal them to you on this darkest of nights. In the pages that follow, you will find many secrets of the Demiplaneof Dread and Gothic Earth revealed. Now you must ask yourself, “arethese secrets I keep, or secrets I reveal?” If you are truly fortunate, the Dark Powers and the Red Death will not take notice of your choice…

E rnst Turagdon withdrew the red-hot Mynilar puffed out his pasty, tattooed chest. “If you knitting needle from the birdcage, must know, I was working on a new poem. When dropping it into a glass of water to sizzle. complete, anyone who hears the verse read aloud will be Eventually his uncomprehending eyes rose instantly stricken dead.” to meet the gaze of the two men standing Ernst raised an eyebrow. “Does this poem have a in the doorway of his cramped room. title?” he asked, honestly curious. “Wha—,” he chirped, his unnatural voice cracking. Mynilar grinned. “I call it, ‘Ode to the Moss-Ernst cleared his throat and tried again. Encrusted Thing in a Bottle That I Believe to Have Once “What exactly do you mean, ‘You killed the Been a Cat.’”burgomeister’?” Ernst mused. “It’s a good start,” he concluded. “I take exception to that accusation,” shot back one “Well,” he sighed a moment later, “let’s go have a look atof the standing pair, fending off the comment with an this disaster.” Mynilar stepped aside to let Ernst pass, butupraised finger. Holder Crosspen was a thin man, with Holder snagged his sleeve, halting him.prematurely gray hair. His eyes were hidden behind “Hold on a moment,” Holder said, his voiceglasses with lenses tinted so darkly as to be opaque. “We betraying rising concern. With his free hand he pointeddid not kill the burgomeister.” back at the birdcage on Ernst’s desk. “Pardon me for “Yes, quite right,” agreed his shirtless companion, asking, but is that my pet budgie in that cage?”Mynilar Sannom, idly scratching at his pierced navel. Ernst glanced back at the tiny creature flailing about“We merely allowed him to die. That’s quite different, behind the bars. “Yes, I believe so.” He turned to leaveyou know.” again, but Holder tugged him back. Ernst sat back in his chair, lightly rubbing his left “What are you doing to my budgie?” Holder asked.temple. Like his room, Ernst kept himself impeccably “I’m torturing it to death,” Ernst answeredtidy. “But you did say he is now lying in four pieces on nonchalantly. “A better theoretical grasp of painour carpet. What did he die from? Melancholy?” thresholds will greatly improve results in my future Holder coughed. “He touched the Third Red Book in interrogations.” Ernst shrugged loose of Holder’s slackAisle Five.” As this explanation was offered, Mynilar grip and slipped out into the hall. Mynilar followed withflicked a thumb across his own throat to illustrate. a conciliatory shrug of his own. “Mmm, yes, yes. And you both watched this “But, but,” stammered Holder, his mouth agape.happen?” The two men half-shrugged. Ernst stood up, “Why experiment on my budgie?”took a few steps toward his visitors, and turned to face Ernst’s answer echoed back from the hall. “BecauseHolder. “Might I ask why you did nothing to prevent your pigeons only lasted an hour.”this?” Ernst followed the shadowy hallway out onto the Holder fidgeted with his glasses. “I was in the back, creaking balcony overlooking the main room of thereorganizing the cookbooks. By the time I saw him, his Vallaki Bookshop. Dust danced in the air, captured inhand was already on the book’s spine. What was I cold sunbeams piercing the two-story room through a pairsupposed to do? Scream, ‘Don’t tug on that tome, it’s the of tall windows in the western wall. Stuffed heads from atrigger to a lethal deathtrap?’ Would have raised a few dozen species of local wildlife starred down from nichesodd questions, don’t you think?” near the high ceiling, peeking out through the thick Ernst stared dully at Holder’s face for a few seconds, wooden beams supporting the oddly angled roof.then abruptly spun to address Mynilar. “You were Ernst placed his hands on the heavy, baroque banistersupposed to be manning the front desk, were you not? and peered down at the room below. The large chamberThat’s in full view of Aisle Five. What kept you quiet?” was divided into aisles by several rows of bookcases, each teeming with obscure tomes. More worm-eaten

5BOOK OF SECRETS: INTRODUCTIONbooks were stacked around the edges of the chamber, “Mmm, yes, yes,” intoned Ernst, unconvinced. Healmost obscuring several pale and ghastly portraits of pale knelt down at the dead man’s side. “You there,” heand ghastly people. barked. “Burgomeister! Look me in the eye.” Ernst sighed a bit as he looked down at Aisle Five in The zombie twisted its neck to look at Ernst—and itsparticular. “Oh, ye gods,” he murmured. “I can see the neck kept on twisting, until the unanchored head lost itsblood from here.” balance, tumbling free of its perch and rolling halfway Swallowing any further signs of annoyance, Ernst down the aisle.walked down the steps, followed by Holder and Mynilar. Mynilar covered his eyes. Holder sucked in hisThey stopped at the end of Aisle Five and stared dully at breath. Ernst shook his head. “This simply won’t do.”the crimson mess that dripped within. “What izzn’t going to do?” asked a hissing voice “At least the trap caught him cleanly,” offered Holder from above. The three men scurried to the end of theas conciliation. aisle to greet the newcomer as he sauntered down the “Yes, right at the neck and knees,” aided Mynilar. stairs from the balcony. The man was completely“Very tidy.” swallowed by a heavy black cloak, its cowl pulled up to Ernst held his tongue as he approached the body. conceal the wearer’s face. Only his unnaturally paleAfter examining the pieces of the burgomeister for a hands were visible; one held a feather duster.moment, his eye fell upon the Third Red Book, jutting out “Where have you been, Jaerdaph?” asked Holder.from the shelf. Extending a finger, he daintily pressed the “Why?” The cloaked newcomer studied the faces ofbook back into place. With a click, the two scything his three compatriots. “Whatever’zz gone wrong, it’zzblades stretched across the aisle slid back into their nothing to do with me. I’ve been up in the attic all day,concealed slots within the thick shelves. duzzting the cobwebzz out of Ryven’s room.” Holder and Mynilar slipped up behind him. “Look,” Mynilar barked with laughter. “Oh, isn’t that nice!suggested Mynilar, “We have nothing to worry about. Did Ryven ask you to do that? Feeling chatty, was he?”Holder can just animate the corpse and send it on its Jaerdaph’s pale lips twisted into a frown. “Azz amerry way!” matter of fact, he wazz.” He thrust the feather duster at Ernst gave the other two a suspicious look. “Really? Mynilar angrily. “You know, you might want toEven with his head off?” conzzider that maybe it’zz that attitude of yourzz that “Oh, yes, of course!” Holder blustered. “Here, sit keepzz Ryven from warming up to you.”him up and help me stick his bits back on.” Mynilar grunted, crossing his arms. “Ryven The three men pulled the headless corpse upright, wouldn’t ‘warm up’ if I burned him at the stake.”leaning its back against the blood-spattered bookcase. “All right, that’s quite enough of that,” interruptedWhile Ernst cautiously balanced the burgomeister’s head Ernst, stepping between the irate men. Ernst turned to theupon its severed neck, Holder and Mynilar knelt to align spidery figure still standing at the foot of the stairs.the corpse’s shins with its knees. Soon enough, the three “Well,” explained Ernst, “it appears that these two evilmen stepped back to examine their handiwork. After a geniuses have killed the burgomeister in our shop.”minute, Ernst glanced impatiently at Holder. “That is completely unfair!” screamed Holder. “Oh, right,” Holder sputtered, crouching before the “Quite right,” consoled Ernst. “I do apologize.precariously balanced corpse. Holder removed his tinted Jaerdaph, I should have said that these two chose to sitglasses, revealing eerie, inhuman eyes. He thrust his hand and watch as one of our deathtraps sliced thejust above the slain man’s face. burgomeister into various cuts of meat.” “Arise, dead one, I demand of thee! I call upon my Jaerdaph shrugged, a scowl barely visible within thedark gift! I grant thee the life that comes after death! his cowl. “So what’zz the problem?” he hissed.Arise, and obey me!” “The problem, my dear, is that it is currently . . .” A chill passed through the witnesses. After a Ernst craned his neck to look back at the hanging clockmoment, the corpse’s glassy eyes blinked open. Mynilar ticking near the door into the cellars. At that veryand Holder sighed with relief. Holder stared into the moment the clock chimed, and a stuffed crow’s headzombie’s eyes, pointing at one of the dead man’s boots. extended from the clock’s face twice in rapid succession, “Wiggle your toes, minion,” Holder ordered, his cawing each time.voice thick with menace. Still moving only its eyes, the “. . . two o’clock,” Ernst concluded. “That means wezombie looked down at its feet. Soon enough, the have less than four hours before the sun sets. Doindicated boot began to weakly flex. remember that this is Barovia. If our beloved “Voilà!” exclaimed Holder, jumping to his feet. burgomeister is not hale, hearty and at home before“Mind you, he’s just a mindless undead puppet chained to sunset, his wife will—quite rightfully—conclude thatmy will, but we can work around that.” something horrible has happened to him.”

6 BOOK OF SECRETS: INTRODUCTION Jaerdaph scowled a bit more. “I zztill don’t zzee the Kargat do examine our work, they will be so impressedproblem. Once it getzz dark, we can go over to the that they will beg us to come home.”burgomeizzter’zz manor and kill hizz wife. I’ll do it “Excuse me!” Ernst waved for attention. “If I mightmyzzelf. Problem zzolved.” bring this delightful patter back around to our current “Not quite,” echoed a voice from a large grate in the dilemma, we have a dead burgomeister—floor near the front doors, flanked by the front desk and “Undead, now,” mumbled Holder.the stuffed body of a rearing creature dubiously labeled as “Yes, my error. We have an undead burgomeistera bear. The four men turned to watch as a spindly arm cooling in Aisle Five. And as you all have so aptlypushed the grate open from below. pointed out, we must solve this problem on our own.” The creature that emerged from the crawlspace “I zztill don’t zzee the problem,” murmuredbeneath the shop floor resembled a scarecrow, its Jaerdaph. “I zztill zzay we go kill the burgomeizzter’zzwithered flesh stretched tight across its bones. wife tonight. Zzo what if her brotherzz come zznooping “I would recommend against eliminating the around? We can handle adventurerzz.”burgomeister’s wife,” advised the creature. Its voice Ernst frowned. “You know, this is the burgomeisterreverberated strangely. “She has two brothers, currently of Vallaki we’re talking about, not some random do-serving in the Barovian militia occupying Teufeldorf in gooder no one will ever miss. His death will be noticed,the former Gundarak. Although the woman has been you understand? Someone must have seen him come inestranged from her siblings for years, her death would here. Even if we do kill his wife, this whole wretchedassuredly prompt in them a thirst for vengeance.” village will still come screaming for our heads. Do you “Good gracious,” sputtered Holder, staring at the think we’re capable of defeating several hundred angrycreature’s bony frame. “William, when’s the last time villagers brandishing torches and pitchforks?”you ate anything?” The others looked around at each other with “—So to speak,” added Ernst. emerging grins. Eventually William spoke up. “It would The withered creature’s hand unconsciously rose to certainly be fun to try.”touch the dagger nestled just under its arm. The hand Ernst’s frown deepened. “Mmm, yes, yes. But that’sbore a black ring with dull red runes, matching the not our real problem. Who else do you think might noticedagger’s hilt. As hand touched dagger, the runes on both if a Barovian burgomeister gets chopped up, eh? Whoring and hilt flashed bright crimson. else do you think might come snooping about? Hmm?” “I’ve been too busy to sustain myself. Need I remind The others’ grins melted. Holder grasped at the air.you all that our annual report has to be completed by “You don’t mean . . .”midnight tonight?” Now Ernst grinned. “That’s right, Count Strahd. Ernst raised an eyebrow. “Mmm, yes, yes. And how This dead burgomeister will lead Strahd right to ouris the report coming?” doorstep. And if Strahd learns that a cell of Azalin’s William glared back at Ernst. “It’s almost done. I’m spies is lurking in his domain, he will personally butcherstill applying the gold leaf to a few illuminations.” us and sell the meat at three pence to the pound!” “Excuse me,” interrupted Mynilar, holding up his All the blood drained from Mynilar’s face. “Wehand. “But exactly why are you putting gold leaf on a need to get out of here, now.” He started pacingblasted espionage report? We’re spies, not monks! We frantically, rambling to himself. “We can flee! We canaren’t being graded on penmanship here!” scatter to the winds and never come back! If we leave “And for that matter,” interjected Jaerdaph, “why right now, we could be in Borca by tomorrow night!”doezz it have to be done by midnight tonight?” “It’ll never work,” wailed Jaerdaph, slumping to the William glared hatefully at the two men. “It has to floor. “If we abandon our pozzt, then it’ll be the Kargatbe done by midnight tonight, because that is when the that butcherzz uzz.”messenger from Necropolis is due.” “Wait,” interrupted Holder. “If we get butchered, “Yes, yes,” Mynilar spat back, “but the messenger does that mean we don’t get to live forever?”never comes, does he? That precious report is going to sit “Yes!” screamed the others in unison.on a shelf in the cellar, gathering dust next to last year’s “So I’ll have lived in this Barovian cesspool with youreport, and the report from the year before that. The scum all these years for nothing?”messenger isn’t coming! He’ll never come! Don’t any of “YES!!” screamed the chorus.you get it? We’ve been abandoned in this backwater Holder gulped. “We have to do something!”hell!” “Well,” William mused, “one disaster at a time. William violently snatched his dagger from its hilt Whether or not we get disemboweled tomorrow, we stilland drove its blade deeply into the floor. “And that,” need to have our annual report done tonight. If anyoneWilliam hissed, recovering his composure, “is why the needs me, I will be succumbing to madness in my workannual report has to be so extravagant. So that when the room. When Strahd arrives to turn us inside out, let me

7BOOK OF SECRETS: INTRODUCTIONknow.” With that William dropped his head back down Ernst ran across the balcony, into the shadowed hall,into the crawlspace, pulling the heavy grate shut after him and past his own room. Just before the winding stairs upwith a resounding clang. to the attic he reached Drawden’s room and kicked open Mynilar slumped against the end of a bookcase. the door.“How long do you think William’s gone without Drawden was inside, a pudgy, leathery man in afeeding?” he asked the group. black, disheveled robe. He was leaning heavily against “Ooh,” guessed Holder, “from the looks of him I’d the door of his closet, just barely keeping some hideous,say nearly a week. He must weigh under seventy pounds shrieking thing within the closet from bursting free.by now.” While three mottled, scarred left arms pressed out from “Damn podlingzz,” grumbled Jaerdaph. “You’re the doorway, clutching at his torn clothes and exposedforgetting he hollowzz out from the inzzide too. I bet you flesh, Drawden was straining with one foot to reach anhizz flesh izz no thicker than a pumpkin’zz. I’ll wager he enchanted scroll lying just out of reach on the floor.doezzn’t weigh an ounzze over thirty poundzz.” Ernst leaned into the room. “Drawden, could you Mynilar perked up. “I’ll take that! Say, five gold—” come downstairs? We have a bit of an emergency.” “Gentlemen!” shouted Ernst. “Focus! We are mere Drawden glared at Ernst, his face red from exertion.hours away from our doom!” “I’m somewhat busy at the moment; what’s going on?” Mynilar, Holder, and Jaerdaph dropped their heads. “We have a secret, and we have four hours to find a“Sorry, Ernst, quite right.” way to keep it a secret forever.” Ernst paced around the foyer, his hands clasped “What happens if I don’t help?”around his back. “Our dilemma is quite clear: The “We all get peeled like onion skins.”burgomeister is lying dead on our floor.” Drawden mumbled something under his breath. “—Undead!” “Very well. I’ll be down just as soon as I’m done here.” “Mmm, yes, yes. Right now, no one but us knows “Mmm, yes, yes.” Ernst withdrew from the room,that he is dead. This is our little secret. So far, so good. politely closing the door as he went. Drawden went backHowever, in less than four hours his wife will notice his to desperately reaching for the scroll with his toes.absence. Come the morning she will get help; some A moment later there was a knock at the door.cretinous villager will say he saw the burgomeister come Drawden barked something unintelligible, and Ernstin here, and our little secret will be no more.” leaned back into the room. “Zzo what are we zzupposed to do?” wailed Ernst raised an eyebrow. “Forgive me for prying, butJaerdaph. “We can’t bring the man back to life!” isn’t that the Gibbering Thing you’ve got there?” “And for some reason I’m still figuring out,” added Drawden nodded, swatting away one of the blindlyMynilar, “we can’t just do the sensible thing and run for grasping, misshapen hands.our miserable lives.” “Ah. Very well. Don’t let me bother you.” Ernst “Do you think his wife might notice if we just closed the door again.stitched his head and legs back on and sent him on his A moment later it opened once more, and Ernst stuckway?” asked Holder, his voice hopeful. his head in a third time. Ernst regarded him coldly. “He’s a mindless, “What’s it doing out of the cellar?”shambling zombie. That would work wonderfully if we Drawden’s voice strained from his exertion.had to replace one of you, but at very least his wife will “Misbehaving.”probably notice his rapid slide to room temperature . . .” Ernst’s gaze hopped idly from Drawden, to the Ernst’s voice trailed off. The room fell into an Gibbering Thing pounding against the inside of the closet,expectant silence. to the scroll just beyond Drawden’s foot. “Well,” he Suddenly, Ernst’s gaze snapped back into focus. “I chimed, finally, “as I said, we need you downstairs asthink I have a plan.” The others leaned forward in des- soon as you wrap up here.” With that Ernst left, shuttingperation. “Mynilar, lock up the shop; we’re closing early. the door behind him.Holder, Jaerdaph, you two start searching the stacks for Drawden sighed to himself. “I suspect I should havebooks that might help us. Drawden, you—” just listened to my horoscope and stayed in bed.” Ernst stopped abruptly, as did everyone else. He Nspun on his heel, hastily scanning the room. “Where inthe Nine Hells is Drawden?” “I think he’zz in hizz room,” offered Jaerdaph. “Iheard him in there earlier.” Ernst rushed up the stairs, taking three steps at atime. “You all get to work; I’ll fetch Drawden. We’llneed him if my plan is to have any hope of success.”

8 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT

FORTUNE-TELLING FOR THE FAINT OF HEART HOW TO LOOK PRESCIENT IN THREE EASY STEPS by Andrew Hackard andrew@kargatane.com

“The future arises out of what goes on And thus ends a promising session of fortune-telling. Use of the tarokka cards and dikesha dice can addin the present.” flavor to a RAVENLOFT adventure, if the Dungeon Master is —Norman Spinrad comfortable with their use. A Vistani encounter practically requires some form of fortune-telling, and if the Dungeon Master doesn’t offer, the players are likely

T he party entered the gaily colored vardo in single file. Though it was a bright, to ask. So it pays to be prepared. sunny day outside, inside the gloom of The best way to be prepared, of course, is to know in night was kept at bay only by a few advance what the outcome is going to be. Stacking the guttering candles. Behind a cracked tarokka deck is one method, but it’s difficult to pull off ebony table sat the crone, grinning under the eyes of suspicious players. With dikesha, youthrough full lips as she shuffled the worn deck of cards. don’t even have the option of predetermining the results. “So, you wish to know your fortunes?” cackled the Thus, few Dungeon Masters attempt to use the tarokka asVistana. “Be certain, my young friends, for the future is the tools they were meant to be, and very few use therarely pretty and never exactly what one hopes to hear. dikesha at all. This is a shame.Ignorance, as you giorgios say, is often bliss. Is this truly One of the slickest ways to use the fortune-tellingwhat you what?” She gazed deeply into the eyes of the techniques is actually to let the lay of the dice or the cardsfour people standing before her. They returned her gaze determine the course of the adventure. This was done injust as deeply. the original Ravenloft adventure, and for the Dungeon “Very well, then.” With one final shuffle, she held Master who can plan his game ahead to include thisthe cards out to Mieckel. “Hold the cards for a moment, feature, it is an excellent way to ensure that the reading isthinking of what you wish to know, then pass them to accurate. It’s also a lot of work.your left.” The thief took the cards solemnly, pressed Let’s assume, however, that you haven’t prepared forthem between his hands, then got a mischievous grin and a fortune-telling session, and yet you’ve found yourself inpassed them to Alfric. His pointed ears twitched as he one. Do not despair! This article will help you getheld the cards for the briefest instant before handing through it without making a fool of yourself (unless thatthem to Josif. Unconsciously fingering his amulet, the would help the story), and will even help you look likeyoung priest murmured a few words—a prayer, the gaming god you are, when everything you predictperhaps?—before passing the cards to his left. Robyn comes to pass. “Just as I predicted,” cackles the Dungeontook them gravely in one hand, dropping her left hand to Master . . .her sword hilt, then returned the cards to the agedwoman across the table. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have the tarokka or “Now, let’s see what the tarokka and Madame dikesha, instructions for using regular cards and dice toRosalie can discover for you, eh?” Another cackle, and simulate them are found at the end of my article, “Morethe Vistana exposed the first card. “The two of stars: the Fun and Games,” in The Book of Sorrows.Diviner. This portends . . . uh . . . oh, rats.”

9BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTA Note on This Article approval. Rather than pre-select cards for the reading, she has decided to let them fall where they may, trustingTo demonstrate the principles I’m going to illustrate, I in the First Rule of Fortune-Telling:actually did the card and dice layouts which are includedhere. The characters and situations were set before Ibegan the readings, so I have done nothing to “cook” this Rule 1:article to make the results come out. What I got is whatyou see. You know more thanScenario One: Feast of Goblyns the players do.“Harmonia, eh?” wisecracked Mieckal. “Doesn’t look This is crucial, because many Dungeon Masters feellike the brochure they showed me back in Vallaki.” that they are operating from weakness when they aren’t in “Hush, Mieke,” said Robyn. “Remember that we’ve firm control of events—and it’s hard to be more out ofcome here for a festival. Try to look happy.” control than when you rely on randomness to guide your “Look, Vistani,” whispered Josif. “Are they here for players. In performing a reading, you must alwaysthe festival as well?” His eyes darted behind them, remember that you know what’s going to happen; theexpecting to see the caravan captain dogging their heels. difficult part is fitting the reading to what you already Alfric glanced over at the camp. “It’s possible. The know without giving away too much.Vistani follow their own path, but they are known to be While the Dungeon Master in our example could takefond of music and dance. There will certainly be enough time to riffle through her books to look up the preciseof both in the next few days to satisfy them.” meanings of all the cards she draws, it would take time Mieckal looked sour. “You’d think those booksellers and interrupt the smooth flow of the reading. She hascould have mentioned that the Vistani would be here. decided, therefore, to “wing it” and simply give generalThey certainly seemed to know everything else about this information and clues based on what she comes up with.festival.” Since she has four characters in her group, she has “Worried about the competition, Mieke?” Robyn’s decided to use the Pyramid pattern given in thegaze never left the roadside, but it was clear she was Forbidden Lore boxed set, as its base of four cards givesenjoying her companion’s discomfort. an easy way to provide some past details for each player “Hush, someone’s coming!” The bushy hairs at the to use. It’s also a convenient pattern to lay out and istop of Alfric’s ears twitched. “Sounds like two. . .no, visually appealing.three youths. From the encampment.” The first card she draws is the two of stars, The “Should we take cover?” Josif’s fingers stroked his Diviner. This card is the focus for the whole layout, theamulet. “If they’re Vistani, Ezra only knows what they pivot that the whole reading revolves around. Ourwant. . ..” Dungeon Master is perplexed for a moment—there’s no “We do not hide from children, Josif, even Vistani diviner in Feast of Goblyns!—but then decides it’s achildren. You just trust to Ezra, and I’ll trust my blade.” metaphor:Robyn patted her sword hilt, in a manner not entirelyreassuring to the priest. “Oh, my, my,” says Madame Rosalie, rocking back Mieckal looked toward the camp. “You know, it and forth. “This card is the focus of what is to come.wouldn’t hurt to scope them out before we go into the Someone is looking for magic—yes, forbidden magic. Hecity.” must be stopped.” Just then, the three girls burst onto the road from thetrees to the right. Giggling madly, two of them raced The second card is placed to the left of the first; it isacross the road and on towards the wagons. The third, a crown card, The Broken One. Our Dungeon Masterhowever, stopped directly in front of the party and looked continues her reading:at them for a full minute. Finally, she said, “Yes, youare the ones. My grandmother has been waiting for you. “You will be opposed in your quest by one who wasCome, follow me.” human, but is no longer.” In this scenario, the Dungeon Master has decided to The third card goes to the right of the first two. Thelead into Feast of Goblyns by doing a card reading. This Dungeon Master turns it over and becomes even moreis also only the second adventure she has run for this puzzled; she has drawn the eight of stars, theparty, so she has decided to use the reading to fill in some Necromancer. After a brief thought, however (and abackstory for the player characters, with her players’

10 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTquick glance below at Rule 2), she realizes whom this “Beware! Soon, you will be faced with one to whommust refer to: money is dearer than air. Do not let him deceive you.”

“There is an evil wizard in your future, but he will The ninth card she draws is another crown card: Theaid you to keep this forbidden magic out of the hands of Esper. At this point, the Dungeon Master is about readythose who would destroy this land. He is your ally.” to give up this whole fortune-telling thing; there are no espers in Feast! On the spur of the moment, she decides The next four cards are the cards that the Dungeon to add a mad seer to the jail in Harmonia; if the partyMaster will use to provide some extra character history listen to his ravings, they may learn some information.for her four players. Thus, she speaks in generalities here (This is a bit of a cheat on her part, of course, but a good(even more so than above), as she will fill in details later. Dungeon Master must always be flexible.)The first card in this row of four is the seven of stars, TheIllusionist, and the Dungeon Master decides it applies to “You will soon meet one who can help you, if you letJosif, a 4th-level anchorite. him. He knows things he has never seen with his eyes.”

“Young priest, you have been deceived before, but (The Dungeon Master also remembers this wording,you are now on the true path. Keep your eyes open, and and jots herself a note to make this mad seer blind toyou will know the truth.” boot. If the party misses it after this obvious a clue, she won’t have any pity on them.) The next card is the four of coins, the Merchant, and The peak of the pyramid represents the final outcomethe Dungeon Master wastes no time in applying it to of the adventure. Our Dungeon Master draws the two ofMieckal, the 6th-level thief. glyphs, The Missionary, and puts a bit of an ironic spin on it: “You will someday regret giving up the familybusiness for the adventurer’s life.” “This is good news! You will play a part in making a new land out of the old!” Next, our Dungeon Master draws The Invoker, thesix of stars (and inwardly shakes her head—aren’t there Then she takes a deep sigh and has another slice ofother suits in the deck?), which she decides applies to pizza. Mission accomplished.Alfric, the half-elven mage. Alfric failed a powers checkin his very first adventure, and she works that into thisreading: Scenario Two: The Hunt “Madame Rosalie, I must capture this beast! He has left “You are strong with the Art, but do not be further two of my friends gravely injured and the third missing.seduced by the power it offers.” He must be brought to justice.” The old Vistana looked squarely into Robyn’s eyes. The final card, then must apply to Robyn, the 5th- Then she said, “If you must capture this beast, you mustlevel avenger. The Dungeon Master lays down The not chase it unarmed.”Marionette. Fortunately for her, our Dungeon Master had The avenger clutched her sword. “Unarmed, I amalready been thinking about Robyn’s backstory, and this not.”fits perfectly. Rosalie chuckled. “Unarmed, you are, if you know not what you face. Come, child, let us consult the “Your past has been controlled by others. It is your wisdom of the cards.”job in the future to learn to control yourself.” Robyn’s player missed a game session, and therefore With that out of the way, the Dungeon Master returns Robyn wasn’t around when Mieckal started a bar brawl atto the task at hand: giving out clues to this adventure. the Old Kartakan Inn. She arrived the next day toThe eighth card she draws represents an immediate future discover Alfric and Josif clinging to life, and Mieckalevil; it is the nine of coins, The Miser. While the missing.Dungeon Master had decided earlier that the fees (Mieckal was defeated in combat with the onlydescribed in Feast of Goblyns would be waived for the werewolf in the place, and has become infected; he isduration of the festival she has added for “local color,” searching for the werewolf that infected him. Josif andshe quickly decides that the guards at the Whirling Bridge Alfric were attacked by wolfweres, and it is one of thosewill try to collect the fees anyway. that Robyn is pursuing—however, Robyn thinks it is a werewolf.)

11BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT The Dungeon Master has asked Mieckal’s player to Alfric in the previous game session, the Dungeon Masterarrive late to the game session, to roleplay his combat and decides to pass that information along:search for a cure; Josif and Alfric’s players get the weekoff while their characters heal up. She’s beginning with “This card represents the near future; perhaps theRobyn’s player, and decides to use the extended cross very prey you now seek? He is a cruel man, and he willpattern to help provide some clues. However, because not hesitate to cause you pain if he can.”Robyn is confused about the identity of her quarry, theDungeon Master is going to employ the Second Rule of Fifth comes a card which is a slight aid; the two ofFortune-Telling: glyphs, The Missionary. Doing a little retroactive rewriting, the Dungeon Master decides to tell Robyn’s Rule 2: player that Josif was awake enough to give her a sketchy description of the beast she is after.

Remember Obi-Wan. “Trust the priest. His information will help you

Everything is true, considered soon.”

from a certain point of view.

The sixth card is the remote past; our Dungeon Master decides to use this to supplement the card from the prior reading and add to Robyn’s history. She draws While the Dungeon Master is not actually going to lie the eight of stars, The Necromancer, and tells the player:to Robyn’s player, she may well choose to provideinformation which will mislead her, but will turn out to be “Evil magic, death magic has shaped your past.accurate, in a manner of speaking. Since Robyn is Beware lest it shape your future.”already misled, our Dungeon Master considers this a fairtactic. The seventh card is a major hindrance, something The central card provides the focus; in this case, the that Robyn will have to overcome to succeed in her quest.Dungeon Master has selected the one of swords, The For this card, the Dungeon Master draws The Temptress.Avenger, as the obvious choice for Robyn. She decides to tie it to the previous card, to strengthen the reading (and makes a mental note to add such an “You are the avenger, bringing justice for the guilty encounter to the adventure).and mercy for the innocent.” “You will have a chance to fight evil magic very The second card is the three of swords, The Soldier, soon, but do not be distracted; this is not your goal atand represents the recent past. The Dungeon Master has this time. Fight the magic, and you will lose.”no trouble fitting this one in. The eighth card provides a glimpse of the far future, “You have survived by fighting to protect others, but and our Dungeon Master plans to use this to help build anyou must now follow a different path to save your adventure for down the road. Thus, she has no worriesfriends.” about drawing the five of coins, The Guildsman; she’ll worry about filling it in later. Next comes a card which represents a slighthindrance; the Dungeon Master lays down the archetype “I see a chance to work with a skilled artisan,of coins, The Rogue. She begins to think she might need perhaps a leader of his community. Look for thisto call Mieckal’s player to arrive sooner, as this gives her opportunity down the road, and be open to it when itan idea. arises.”

“The Rogue seems to stand in your way. He will not Finally, the Dungeon Master lays a card that will be abe difficult to circumvent, but do not believe that his major help to Robyn. It is The Beast! After a momentarygoals coincide with yours.” surprise, the Dungeon Master knows who this must be:

The fourth card represents the near future. The “There is one out there who pursues the same goalDungeon Master draws the nine of swords, The Torturer. as you, for different reasons. When you see the Beast, beSince the wolfwere had already toyed with Josif and wary, for he may be a friend for now but could well turn into an enemy for later.”

12 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT She then excuses herself to call Mieckal’s player and general prediction is easier to manipulate than a specifictell him to hurry over; she has something for him to do . . one. Luckily she does have her Forbidden Lore boxed. set with her, and she consults the dikesha chart on the back of “The Waking Dream” for the names of theScenario Three: various symbols. Everything else, she’s going to make up as she goes.Awakening Evil Madame Rosalie looked as though she was expecting“The horses easily cover the distance between you and you, which of course she probably was. Ushering youHarmonia, but it will be nearly dark when you arrive quickly into her vardo, she shook five knucklebones out ofthere. Do you want to stop for the night or ride through? a small cloth bag on her table. “The cards can show youIf you ride through, you’ll need new mounts, but if you nothing more, but perhaps the dikesha can. From far-offstop, Josif’s captors will gain ground.” Har’Akir, they are, a wasteland of blazing sun.” “Wait, friends. Rather than blindly follow the trail, The Vistana handed the dice to Robyn, saying,perhaps we should consult Madame Rosalie for “Each of you must blow on the dice and press them toguidance. She has been a great help so far, and I feel your heart. Think of your missing young friend; think ofthis may be a crucial moment. We certainly can use all the evil you are trying to prevent; think of the future.the help we can get.” Then pass the dice.” In turn, each of the heroes took the dice and did as she bade them. Robyn’s expression was Whoops. intent, portending doom for those who would oppose her. Josif’s player had to go out of town on short notice, Alfric merely looked bemused, but his ear hairs twitchedso the Dungeon Master decided that an innocent victim as though even from inside the vardo, he could hearwas necessary for the ritual to reawaken Daglan, and had Josif’s cries for help. Mieckal looked worried, though inJosif kidnapped out of his sickbed in Skald. Thus, the truth his chief concern was for the past, not the future.remaining player characters (including a recently-cured When the thief had returned the dice, MadameMieckal) are pursuing his captors, not only to prevent a Rosalie herself held them, blew on them, and pressedgreat evil but also to rescue their friend. them to her heart for several seconds. Then she threw What she did not count on, however, was that the them toward the ceiling, and said, “Let the dice show usplayers would decide to visit Rosalie once again; in fact, what we must know!”she left the tarokka at home. She briefly considers just The symbols were odd; a red face, an orange blade,having Rosalie’s caravan be gone. Unfortunately, she had green lightning; yet Rosalie seemed unconcerned. “Thisestablished that the festival was two weeks long, and the bodes well for your friend. See, the face of the InnocentVistani would be unlikely to leave before it was over. proves that he is yet unharmed and uncorrupted. TheThinking quickly, she reaches into her dice bag and pulls yellow waves prove that his current troubles will passout her set of dikesha. To avoid slowing down the soon enough, and the Road in white promises a longsession, she is going to do a “gestalt” reading, considering journey together for you all. The Sword is meant for you,all five dice at once instead of one by one. She’s also maiden, and the rest of you as well: There will be bloodgoing to apply the Third Rule of Fortune-Telling: spilled before this quest is completed.” She paused to catch her breath, and Mieckal blurted out, “But what of the green lightning?” Rosalie fixed Mieckal with a long, piercing gaze. Finally, she said, “The green die promises terror, young rogue, terror beyond anything you have imagined. You Rule 3: must confront this terror to prevail.” Then she turned to look at the rest of the group. It does not pay a prophet to be “My friends, it is time for us to part. You have much riding ahead of you before you reach the place of trial. too specific. When you return this way, we will be gone. If the Mists will, perhaps we shall see each other farther down the (William Gresham, quoted by road. Until then, be well.” She rose, circled the table, Robert A. Heinlein in Expanded Universe) and lightly kissed each of them on the forehead. As they exited the vardo, Robyn pointed to their By providing very general clues, she can guide the horses. “They look fresh, not lathered at all. As if theyplayers without ruining the climax of the adventure. are ready to ride another day!”Also, if things do not work out as she has foreseen, a

13BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT Alfric smiled. “The Vistani are mysterious, Robyn,but they certainly can care for their beasts of burden.Come, let us mount up and catch young Josif’s newfriends.” The three adventurers vaulted into their saddles andbegan to ride back to the road. At the edge, Mieckalturned around, his hand raised in a salute and words ofthanks on his lips. The encampment was gone.

ConclusionTelling the future has been a part of the RAVENLOFT gamesince the very first adventure, yet many Dungeon Mastersare still afraid to try it in their own games. The game isricher, for players and for the Dungeon Master, whensuch a vital element can be included in the game sessions.It is my hope that, by applying these three rules—and ahealthy dose of the creativity that all gamers share—theonly mystery that goes into telling the future is that whichyou choose to put into it.N

14 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT

ANCHORS OF FAITH The Church of Ezra Revealed by John W. Mangrum iggy@kargatane.com

N THE TIME BEFORE, IN A LAND CLOAKED IN

IThe author would like to thank those who have aided inthe development of this article, either through their MISTS, THERE WAS A WOMAN, AND SHE WASpublished material and/or their advice, particularly EZRA.Andrew Cermak, Andrew Hauptman, Matthew L. Martin, EZRA WAS A HEALER OF THE SICK ANDSteve Miller, Cindi Rice, Andrew Wyatt, all the PROTECTOR OF THE WEAK. SUCH WAS HER LOT

Kargatane, and the members of the Ravenloft-L mailing IN LIFE. SUCH WAS HER ROLE IN THE GRAND

list. This cathedral was built on their foundations. SCHEME.

EZRA TOOK PRIDE IN THE ROLE FATE HAD GIVEN HER. HER DUTY WAS HER JOY.INTRODUCTION FOR MANY YEARS EZRA HEALED THE LAME AND WATCHED OVER HER PEOPLE. BUT AS TIME WENT ON, EZRA BEGAN TO

W hen Domains of Dread was published in SEE THE HOLLOW. 1997, it introduced an important new FROM THE MISTS OF DEATH CAME HORRORS OF THE religion to the Demiplane of Dread, the NIGHT. THEY WERE THE DRINKER OF BLOOD, AND THE STEALER Church of Ezra. Although enough details OF BREATH, AND THE BEAST THAT RENDS. MANY WERE THEIR were provided for players to create their LEGIONS. MANY WERE THE ROLES PLAYED BY DARKNESS IN THE own anchorite characters, the specific GRAND SCHEME.tenets and background of the faith have always remained EZRA KNEW THAT DEATH WOULD COME FOR HER, AS ITsketchy—until now. COMES TO ALL IN TIME. WHEN EZRA ENTERED THE GRAY LAND, THERE WOULD BE NO GUARDIAN TO FILL HER ROLE.HISTORY THERE WOULD BE NO ONE TO STAND BETWEEN HER PEOPLE AND THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT.

E ver since the founding of the Church of EZRA SET FORTH ON A QUEST TO FIND A GUARDIAN FOR Ezra, in the last century, attempts to HER PEOPLE. SHE SOUGHT THE ONE PURE HEART WHO WOULD discover the true identity of Ezra have ASSUME HER ROLE. been made by countless scholars, both The Books of Ezra among her faithful and among her Book I. i.–vii. detractors. Yet to this day the historicalexistence of the mortal Ezra remains a topic of A century ago, the Dilisnya clan had spread to half acontroversy. Although many claims have been laid by dozen domains, still scattered to the ends of the Core bymembers of many faiths, no one has ever proven which the their ancestral feud with the lord of Barovia.“land cloaked in Mists” the mortal Ezra called her home. Financial and political savvy was nearly as telling a Despite all the decades of scholarly research, and Dilisnya trait as the shape of their faces, or the color orseveral theories to the contrary, Ezra’s mortal life remains their eyes, ensuring their success in almost every landthe stuff of legend, her life and homeland forever set in they called their home.the boundless “before time” of creation myths. Yakov Dilisnya was born in northern Mordent in the However, the birth of the Church of Ezra can be year 641, the first born son of Lev and Elena Dilisnya.established with pinpoint accuracy, beginning with a Yakov was raised in the luxurious manor first built by hisname as rich in history as it is in infamy: Dilisnya. grandfather; gaining several siblings as the years passed. His mother passed away when he was ten. Within a fewThe First Epiphany years, Lev remarried, and his new wife bore him bore him

15BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTtwo more children, including Yakov’s young half-sister BEFORE EZRA ROSE ONLY THE MISTS OF DEATH.Camille. EZRA SPOKE TO THE MISTS. ASKED SHE, “THE WORLD IS Meanwhile, Yakov did little to impress his father. YOURS. YOU SET ITS SHAPE. WHY DO YOU ALLOW ITS PEOPLE TOAlthough the young man clearly had a keen mind, he WANDER, LOST AND AFRAID?” BUT THE MISTS DID NOTexhibited the weak will that plagues all too many sons ANSWER.cursed with “old money.” AGAIN EZRA SPOKE. “WHY HAVE YOU FILLED YOUR This changed, remarkably so, in Yakov’s 25th year. WORLD WITH THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT?” BUT THE MISTSOne May afternoon, when Yakov had been out riding, his WOULD NOT ANSWER.horse returned to the stables without its rider. An search A THIRD TIME DID EZRA SPEAK. “ALL THINGS HAVE THEIRwas launched immediately, and Yakov was soon found ROLE IN THE GRAND SCHEME. THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHTsprawled in a nearby stream, unconscious and appearing HAVE THEIR PLACE. BUT GUARDIANS AND GUIDES HAVE THEIRto have suffered from a seizure. He was carried back to ROLES IN TURN.” STILL THE MISTS OFFERED NO REPLY.his bed, where he lay raving with fever for five days. EZRA SPOKE ONCE MORE. “I HAVE SEARCHED ALL THE When the fever broke, Dilisnya demanded a quill and VASTNESS OF YOUR LANDS, BUT I HAVE FOUND NO GUARDIANSparchment, furiously scribbling page after page of what FOR MY PEOPLE. I HAVE FOUND NO GUIDES FOR THE LOST.”would eventually be known as The First Book of Ezra. AGAIN THE MISTS WERE SILENT. Speaking with new clarity of purpose, borne either FOR THE LAST TIME DID EZRA SPEAK. “YOU HAVE FAILEDfrom epiphany or fever-wrought madness, Yakov THE GRAND SCHEME. YOU HAVE CREATED A HOLLOW THATannounced that he had been touched by an entity called MUST BE FILLED. IF YOU WILL NOT WATCH OVER YOUR PEOPLE,Ezra, Our Guardian in the Mists. Yakov claimed that THEN MUST I.”Ezra had chosen him to spread her word, and he UPON THE FIFTH ENTREATY DID THE MISTS OF DEATHdedicated himself to her faith, having his scribbled notes REPLY. FROM THE MISTS CAME A VOICE, AND THE VOICEtranscribed into an illuminated text. He traveled from SPOKE, SAYING, “TURN BACK, MORTAL. YOU KNOW NOTHINGMordentish village to village, claiming it was his duty, his OF THE GRAND SCHEME. YOU KNOW NOTHING OF THE MISTS.“role in the Grand Scheme” to build a flock of faithful. YOU HAVE REACHED THE END OF YOUR WORLD. CONTINUE Yakov struggled for years to establish Ezra’s church, AND YOU SHALL FIND ONLY YOUR DESTRUCTION, NOTHINGbut he met with little success; he was far from being the MORE.”only madman roaming the Core claiming to be the chosen YET EZRA HELD FAST AGAINST THE MISTS, SAYING, “YOUone of an imaginary god. Eccentricity was far from CANNOT BID ME ENTER, YET I CANNOT TURN AWAY. I OFFERunknown in the Dilisnya bloodline, and most of his own MYSELF TO YOU SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE SUFFERING OFfamily simply disregarded Yakov as a harmless lunatic. MY PEOPLE. IF I MUST BE DESTROYED FOR THEM, THEN THAT IS Yet as the years passed Yakov began to demonstrate WHAT MUST BE.”divine powers he claimed to have been granted by Ezra. THE MISTS OF DEATH FELL SILENT. THEN THE VOICEHe visited plague-marked houses, healing with a touch; SPOKE, ONCE MORE. “ENTER THE MISTS IF YOU MUST,he visited haunted tombs, and cast out spirits with a word. MORTAL, BUT NOT AS YOU ARE. YOUR KIND HAS NO PLACEIn time, he could even deflect the weapons of his foes HERE. TO ENTER THE MISTS, YOU MUST BECOME AS ONE WITHwith a prayer, calling this last gift the Shield of Ezra. He THE MISTS. NEVER AGAIN SHALL YOU LEAVE THEM. WILLhad become the first anchorite. YOU FOREVER SACRIFICE YOURSELF TO WATCH OVER THESE FEW Despite these miracles, Yakov failed to convert the MORTALS?”masses. Perhaps this was due to resistance from the SPOKE EZRA, “SUCH IS MY ROLE IN THE GRAND SCHEME.Weathermays, who suspected an insidious Dilisnya trick. SO MUST IT BE.”More likely, Ezra’s message failed because Yakov spoke AND WITH THOSE WORDS DID EZRA BECOME OURmuch of duties and debts to others, but little of true GUARDIAN IN THE MISTS.compassion or salvation. The Books of Ezra By 684, Yakov had converted less than a dozen Book I. viii.–xix.followers to his faith. Meanwhile, Camille Dilisnya grew In 684 the young Camille Grymig nee Dilisnyato womanhood and took a husband. discovered that her husband of a mere three years had taken a lover. Camille had been taught the skills of theThe Home Faith poisoner by her father, and her heart housed all the most ruthless and obsessive traits of her bloodline. When ONE PURE HEART IN

E ZRA SOUGHT FOR THE Camille slew her husband and his lover with a vile toxin MANY LANDS, BUT EVER DID SHE SEEK IN VAIN. of her own creation, the Mists opened to grant her the IN TIME HER QUEST BROUGHT EZRA TO domain of Borca. THE END OF ALL THINGS. BEHIND EZRA STRETCHED ALL THE LANDS OF THE WORLD.

16 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT Camille invited her scattered family to join her in her BUT THE MISTS WOULD NOT PART. AGAIN A VOICE CAMEnew lands. Many rushed to accept her offer, enjoying FROM THE MISTS, SAYING, “FOOLISH ONE, YOU STILL KNOWtheir heightened status. Now entering middle age, Yakov NOTHING OF THE GRAND SCHEME. THE HOLLOW BELONGS TODilisnya joined them, finally relinquishing his quest to THE MISTS ALONE. IT IS THEIR CREATION. YOU SHALL NOTestablish the Ezra faith in his homeland. Although SPOIL WHAT THEY HAVE WROUGHT.”dismissed as a harmless eccentric by most of his relatives, EZRA SPOKE, SAYING, “THE MISTS HAVE WROUGHTYakov still possessed the keen political mind common to NOTHING BUT SORROW. IT IS MY ROLE TO SUCCOR THEthose in his family. Yakov saw a vast opportunity in SUFFERING OF MY PEOPLE. WHAT IS TO BECOME OF MY PLACEBorca, and few knew Camille’s mind better than her IN THE GRAND SCHEME IF THE MISTS CANNOT BID ME ACT?eldest sibling. WHAT SHALL BECOME OF THE PURE OF HEART, IF THEY HAVE Yakov managed to convince Camille to grant him NO GUARDIAN IN THE MISTS?”land just outside Levkarest to build a temple to Ezra. He ANSWERED THE VOICE, “YOU MAY HAVE THOSE WHOslyly hinted that Ezra could be a useful tool, an opiate of CHOOSE TO HAVE YOU, AND THOSE ONLY. IF THEY BE PURE OFthe masses Camille could wield to win and keep the HEART, THEN SO SHALL IT BE.”Borcans’ love. Yakov even talked the young darklord EZRA SPOKE AGAIN, ASKING, “AND WHAT OF THE LEGIONSinto helping fund the construction of his grandiose OF THE NIGHT? WHAT OF THE DRINKER OF BLOOD, AND THEtemple. STEALER OF BREATH, AND THE BEAST THAT RENDS? WHAT OF Ground was broken the very next year. Construction THE HORRORS WHO WOULD STEAL THE PURE OF HEART AND ADDof the Great Cathedral would take six decades to THEM TO THEIR LEGIONS?”complete, but the Church of Ezra had at last grown roots. THE VOICE REPLIED, “THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT Laborers and artisans were summoned from all of BELONG TO THE MISTS, NOT TO YOU. SHOULD MORTALS JOINBorca and beyond to design and raise the mighty temple. THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT, THEN THAT IS THE ROLE THEY HAVEAs the stones were laid, Yakov and his few followers CHOSEN IN THE GRAND SCHEME. THEY WERE NEVER AMONGministered to the workers. Perhaps the impoverished YOUR PURE OF HEART.”workers were willing to listen to the anchorites for their EZRA ACCEPTED THIS, SAYING, “SO SHALL IT BE. BUT IFcoins. Perhaps the Borcans were less contented than the THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT CAN BE BROUGHT OUT OF THEMordentish, and thus more receptive to Ezra’s austere DARKNESS, THEN THAT IS THE ROLE THEY HAVE CHOSEN IN THEmessage. Perhaps the dark powers decided it was time GRAND SCHEME, AND THEY SHALL STAND IN YOUR LEGIONS NOfor the church to bloom. Whatever the reason, the MORE.”laborers stopped to listen the message of Ezra, and this THE MISTS OF DEATH WERE SILENT.time, it spoke to their hearts. EZRA THEN GATHERED UP THE PURE OF HEART, NAMING The faith spread to the workers, then to their THEM HER ANCHORITES. IT WOULD BE THEIR ROLE IN THEfamilies, and then throughout Borca. In the act of GRAND SCHEME TO GUIDE THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT BACKbuilding the Great Cathedral, Yakov Dilisnya had at long INTO THE LIGHT.last built his Church of Ezra. When Camille Dilisnya wed AS EZRA SHALL GIVE SUCCOR TO HER ANCHORITES, HERKlaus Boritsi in 687, it was Yakov who officiated the ANCHORITES SHALL GIVE SUCCOR TO THE FAITHFUL. THEceremony. FAITHFUL SHALL SPREAD EZRA’S LOVE TO ALL THE WORLD, By the time the anchorites started holding services PUSHING BACK THE DARKNESS. WHEN THE LEGIONS OF THEwithin the stone skeleton of their cathedral in 695, the NIGHT STAND EMPTY, THE HOLLOW SHALL BE FILLED. SUCH ISChurch of Ezra was thriving within Borca and a force to THE GRAND SCHEME.be reckoned with. A smaller, secondary temple was The Books of Ezraestablished in Sturben, and the faith had even started to Book II. xx.–xxxi.spread into neighboring Dorvinia. Three years later, Lady Camille Boritsi would have a Some historians blame Camille’s rampage in the yeartantrum. It would change the faith forever. 698 on her realization that the Church of Ezra, which sheThe First Schism had sponsored as a tool to pacify the masses, now threatened to overshadow her power. However, surviving EZRA, “SUCH IS THE ROLE I HAVE CHOSEN

S POKE records indicate that Camille’s rash tantrum was more IN THE GRAND SCHEME. SUCH IS WHAT I MUST likely fueled by her discovery of extensive infidelity I DO.” within her immediate family. AND WITH THOSE WORDS DID EZRA Outraged, Camille Boritsi poisoned nearly every BECOME OUR GUARDIAN IN THE MISTS. member of her branch of the family. Yakov Dilisnya did FROM HER PLACE IN THE MISTS OF not escape her wrath. Although Camille left no hardDEATH, EZRA LOOKED DOWN UPON THE MORTALS OF THE evidence of her role in the murders, rumors of her guiltWORLD, AND SHE EXTENDED HER HAND TO FILL THE HOLLOW.

17BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTspread through the general public like wildfire. The learned of the opposition to her gift. It was in her natureDilisnya name became almost unbearably despised by the to lash out at her foes, so now every goblet of wine wasthrong of Ezra’s faithful, and the threat of revolution was seen as a potential murder weapon.palpable. Camille realized her act had spontaneously The minority faction was led by Felix Wachter, thetransformed the politically neutral Church of Ezra into the Sentire of Sturben, himself distantly related to theopen threat that she feared. Dilisnyas. Fuming at his peers and fearing for the lives of Camille attempted to restore her reputation by his allies, Wachter made the monumental decision todisassociating herself from the death of the church’s break away from the Home Faith and lead his supportersfounder. She offered to erect a memorial statue of Yakov out of danger. By the winter of 698, Wachter and his fouron the steps of the still-unfinished Great Cathedral. There loyal anchorites had left Borca to establish a new templeare some who say Camille’s offer might have even in Mordent, which they claimed to be the first, true homebetrayed a pang of regret. of Ezra. The offer blunted the outrage of the Borcan populace Preaching a revised, more openly compassionatejust enough to avoid open rioting in the streets. version of Ezra’s teachings, Wachter’s sect discoveredIronically, this same, simple statue would also tear a open the acceptance that had eluded Yakov. In 699, Sentirea rift within the Church. Wachter claimed to have a series of visions in which Ezra Publicly, Camille simply offered the memorial to the presented him with her new teachings. Wachter scribedChurch as a gesture of her mourning. Privately, she also Ezra’s revised tenets into scripture he called The Secondpromised sizable donations towards the cathedral’s Book of Ezra.construction, but added a requirement: the anchorites The rival sects remained antagonistic for years.were not to “stir the pot” of insurrection. She hinted that Mordentish anchorites accused the Home Faith ofrefusing her offer would be costly indeed. corruption; Borcans labeled Wachter’s sect as heretics, The offer exposed a schism brewing among the noting that even the miracles granted to the Mordentishclergy for years, dividing them into two camps. In secret anchorites had changed. Even their Shield of Ezra nowdebates, one faction argued that the survival of the manifested in a new way.Church—not to mention its clergy—depended on keeping But as time went on, both sects gradually arrived atthe far-reaching Dilisnya clan happy. They insisted that an admission. Ezra had seen fit to continue granting heraccepting Camille’s gift would ensure the survival of the blessings to both factions. Though the sects continued tofaith. They supported this argument by accentuating that disagree on many points, the realization lead toall things had their role in the Grand Scheme. Ezra had reconciliation, which lead to an new tenet of Ezra’s faith:even assigned Camille Boritsi a role: that of a generous Only Ezra could say who did or do did not exemplify herbut demanding patron. If the anchorites defied Camille’s teachings. In granting the Mordentish sect a newattempt to fulfill this role, there were many other roles manifestation of her Shield, Ezra had revealed aCamille could surely take. “Nemesis” came to mind. The mysterious new facet of her Grand Scheme.church had to accept the boundaries they lived under, not Within a decade, the schism would be healed. Thenjust to survive, but to obey Ezra’s Grand Scheme. the Mists would withdraw to reveal a new domain, and The opposing faction resolutely rejected Camille’s the Church would be changed again.bribe. They renounced the opposition, pointing out thatthey worshipped Ezra, not Yakov Dilisnya. Thesuggestion that they should raise a monument toPraesidius Dilisnya before Ezra’s own cathedral was evencomplete fell little short of blasphemy. This factionargued that it was the anchorites’ duty to defend the The Gift from the Mistsfaithful, not the powerful. The anchorites of this faction N THE TIME BEFORE, THERE WAS A GODDESS,

Iaccused Ezra’s clergy of becoming far too entangled in AND SHE WAS EZRA. EZRA LOOKED DOWNmaterialistic concerns. They were narrowly obeying the UPON THE WORLD OF MORTALS, AND SHE SAWrules of Ezra’s Grand Scheme, but neglecting her roles of THAT THE WORLD WAS WELL-TENDED BY THEhealer and protector. GODS. In the end, the faction opposed to the statue were BUT THEN EZRA’S EYES FELL UPON THEbadly outnumbered. The Church of Ezra accepted HOLLOW. SHE LOOKED DEEP INTO THE HOLLOW, AND SAW ACamille’s gift with a show of gratitude. Behind closed PLACE ABANDONED BY THE GODS, ITS PEOPLE LEFT TO SUFFERdoors, the clerical schism grew uglier with each passing ALONE.day. The minority faction found itself opposed from all EZRA ASKED HER DIVINE BRETHREN, “WHY HAS THISsides. The faction’s accusations of worldly corruption PLACE BEEN FORGOTTEN? WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ITSstill hung in the air, and rumors hinted that Camille had PEOPLE?” BUT THE GODS DID NOT ANSWER.

18 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT AGAIN EZRA SPOKE, SAYING, “WE ARE THE GUIDES AND a goddess they knew only as Ste. Mere des Larmes, theGUARDIANS OF MORTALS. SUCH IS OUR ROLE IN THE GRAND “Sainted Mother of Tears.” But they were quick to addSCHEME. IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT THESE MORTALS BE ABANDONED that the religion had died out nearly 400 years ago, andSO.” AGAIN THE GODS GAVE NO REPLY. the cathedral had lain vacant in all the years since. EZRA SPOKE FOR A THIRD TIME. “IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT Secousse explored the cathedral, pondering if itTHESE MORTALS BE LEFT TO SUFFER. IF YOU WILL NOT WATCH could be used by the Church. Above the cracked altar,OVER YOUR PEOPLE, THEN MUST I.” she discovered a stained glass window, still miraculously THUS EZRA LEFT THE REALM OF THE GODS. HER DIVINE intact after centuries of neglect. Ste. Mere des LarmesBRETHREN WATCHED HER LEAVE IN SILENCE. was still visible in the glass. The image was unmistakably EZRA DESCENDED TO THE HOLLOW, BUT BEFORE SHE that of Ezra.COULD ENTER, THE MISTS OF DEATH ROSE UP TO BLOCK HER A number of anchorites were immediately dispatchedPATH. from both sects to study the startling image in more detail. FROM THE MISTS CAME A VOICE, AND THE VOICE SPOKE, Led by Warden Secousse, the priests examined every inchSAYING, “TURN BACK, GODDESS. THIS PLACE IS NOT FOR YOU. of the crumbling ruins. They soon discovered theTHIS PLACE IS FOR THE MISTS ALONE.” entrances to a maze of secret passages and chambers YET EZRA HELD FAST, SAYING, “I CANNOT ALLOW YOUR hidden within the cathedral’s foundations. At the heart ofPEOPLE TO SUFFER ALONE. IT IS MY PLACE TO PROTECT THEM.” this secret sub-level, they found a sealed scriptorium AGAIN THE VOICE SPOKE, WARNING, “TAKE HEED, where the secrets of Ste. Mere des Larmes had beenGODDESS. YOUR KIND HAVE NO PLACE IN THE HOLLOW. preserved for half a millennium. Each scroll theENTER AND YOU SHALL FIND ONLY YOUR DESTRUCTION, anchorites read redoubled their awe.NOTHING MORE.” The expedition returned to Levkarest in 709, YET EZRA STOOD FIRM AGAINST THE MISTS, SAYING, declaring that they had uncovered the lost teachings of“YOU CANNOT BID ME ENTER, YET I CANNOT TURN AWAY. I Ezra. Furthermore, they claimed Yakov Dilisnya hadCANNOT ALLOW YOUR PEOPLE TO SUFFER ALONE. IF I MUST BE merely discovered a copy of these lost texts, distortingDESTROYED, THEN THAT IS WHAT MUST BE.” them to suit his own purposes. When the church elders UPON HER FIFTH ENTREATY THE VOICE SPOKE ONCE MORE. protested, Joan presented them with her interpretation of“ENTER THE MISTS IF YOU MUST, GODDESS, BUT NOT AS YOU the holy writ of the Mother of Tears, offering her newARE. TO ENTER THE MISTS, YOU MUST BECOME AS ONE WITH scriptures as The Third Book of Ezra.THE MISTS. YOU MUST CEASE TO BE, YOUR NAME FORGOTTEN The Church had established a Rite of Revelation inIN ALL OTHER PLACES. YOU SHALL NEVER RETURN TO YOUR the wake of the First Schism to determine when a newBRETHREN. WILL YOU SACRIFICE ALL THIS FOR THESE FEW aspect of the Grand Scheme had truly been revealed. InMORTALS?’ accordance with those rituals, Joan and her followers SPOKE EZRA, “SUCH IS MY ROLE IN THE GRAND SCHEME. demonstrated that they had been blessed with a newSO MUST IT BE.” manifestation of the Shield of Ezra. AND WITH THOSE WORDS EZRA JOINED THE MISTS. HER The elders of the Church were amazed; Ezra hadNAME BECAME KNOWN TO THOSE IN THE HOLLOW, AND LOST TO indeed again spoken. Joan was granted the title ofALL OTHERS. Bastion, and returned with her followers to Port-a-Lucine The Books of Ezra to continue their esoteric studies of the “lost history” of Book III. i.–xiv. Ezra. The schism between the Home Faith and theMordentish sect was resolved within a decade. The The Fall of Night MY ROLE IN THE GRAND SCHEME,”

S UCH ISunfinished walls of the Great Cathedral rose aboveLevkarest. The Mordentshire sect established a chapel, SPOKE EZRA. “SO MUST IT BE.”and satellite temples were spreading to neighboring WITH THOSE WORDS DID EZRA SACRIFICEdomains. The Core too had grown in the decades since HER MORTAL LIFE TO BECOME OUR GUARDIAN IN THE MISTS.the First Epiphany, and in 707 the Mists revealed the newdomain of Dementlieu. FROM HER PLACE IN THE MISTS OF This event held no special import for the Church of DEATH, EZRA LOOKED DOWN UPON THE MORTALS SHE HAD FORSAKEN ALL ELSE TO PROTECT.Ezra, so it was nearly a year before a wanderinganchorite, Joan Secousse, visited the new land—and ONLY THEN DID SHE SEE THE WICKEDNESS IN THErushed back to Mordent to report her startling news. At MORTALS’ HEARTS. ONLY THEN DID SHE THAT THE MORTALSthe very heart of the city of Port-a-Lucine an ancient SHE SOUGHT TO PROTECT AND THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT WERE ONE AND THE SAME. ONLY THEN COULD SHE SEE THEcathedral was crumbling into ruin. When asked, the FOULNESS OF THEIR HIDDEN SINS.people of the city said the cathedral had been dedicated to

19BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT EZRA SAW THAT THOSE WHO HAD BEEN TRUE TO HER WERE demeanor. Some of his teachers had even gone so far asBUT FEW. A SCATTERING OF DIM STARS IN A SKY OF DEEPEST to advise Warden Raines not to present Ezra’s teachingsBLACK. IN HER NEW ROLE, EZRA SAW THAT THE SINFULNESS OF in such bleak terms; perhaps affected by the legends ofTHE MORTALS WAS SO LOATHSOME THAT THE MISTS OF DEATH his homeland, Raines spoke of the Legions of the Night asWOULD SOON WIPE THE HOLLOW CLEAN OF THEIR BLACKENED if they were eternally clawing at the very doors of theSOULS. Great Cathedral. However, Raines maintained strict EZRA’S HEART SANK, BUT SHE WOULD NOT ABANDON adherence to the letter of Ezra’s scriptures, and in timeHOPE. SHE KNEW THAT SHE COULD NOT SAVE THE SOULS OF was even granted her Shield. All signs indicated that heTHE WICKED, BUT SHE COULD OFFER SALVATION TO THOSE WHO did indeed have Ezra’s blessing.REPENTED THEIR EVIL WAYS AND ALLOWED HER GUIDANCE INTO Warden Raines believed that the Great Upheaval hadTHEIR HEARTS. been nothing less than an attempt by the Mists of Death to EZRA DID GATHER HER FAITHFUL FEW, NAMING THEM HER expel Ezra from their ranks, the first omen of a comingANCHORITES. IT WOULD BE THEIR ROLE IN THE GRAND SCHEME age when the Legions of the Night would scour the worldTO GUIDE THE CORRUPTED BACK INTO THE LIGHT. clean. Although the Church elders did not see the world AS EZRA WOULD GUIDE AND PROTECT HER ANCHORITES, in Raines’ apocalyptic terms, Praesidius RaskolkaHER ANCHORITES WOULD STAND VIGIL OVER THOSE OF GOOD summoned a Bastion’s Council to determine the Church’sFAITH. future. With Bastions Denisovich of Mordentshire and EZRA’S SERVANTS MUST SHOW THE CORRUPTED THEIR Secousse of Port-a-Lucine acting as his advisors,PATHS OF DOOM, AND MUST GUARD THE FAITH FROM THOSE LOST Praesidius Raskolka declared that Ezra’s anchorites had aSOULS WHO WOULD NOT BE SAVED. HER ANCHORITES MUST urgent duty to spread the word of Ezra to the four cornersREDEEM THE FALLEN AND DESTROY THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT of the Core, even to those lands where existing religionsWHO WOULD CORRUPT THE PURE. stood in opposition to Ezra’s word. Even more than had WHEN THE MISTS OF DEATH SWEEP DOWN, WHEN THE been the case before, young anchorites were encouragedDARKNESS DEVOURS THE LAND AND CONSUMES THE WICKED, to travel the Land of Mists, doing worthy works in Ezra’sEZRA SHALL STAND VIGIL OVER THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRUE TO name and establishing new temples.HER. Warden Raines became part of this new wave of THE TIME OF ULTIMATE DARKNESS IS FAST FALLING UPON evangelical anchorites. He returned to his native land ofTHE LAND. WE LIVE IN THE DAYS OF DYING LIGHT. SIGNS Darkon, and began to preach Ezra’s teachings to any whoAND PORTENTS SURROUND US, AND ONLY THOSE WHO ADMIT would listen. He faced massive opposition. Darkon’sEZRA’S LIGHT SHALL BE SPARED. spiritual heart was in the grip of two state-sponsored The Books of Ezra religions: the Cult of the Overseer, openly embraced in Book IV. xix–xxix. Martira Bay, and the Eternal Order, somewhat begrudgingly worshipped throughout the rest of the For the next thirty years, the three sects of the Church domain. One more than one occasion Raines wasof Ezra continued to strengthen and grow, suffering no physically threatened by the priests of the Eternal Order,major setbacks. Wandering anchorites continued to but he persevered.spread the word of Ezra. For every anchorite that In fact, Raines may have survived simply because hisvanished in the night, another would convert new faithful influence was negligible. By the time the Great Cathedralin new villages. was completed in 745, Raines had already traveled When the Grand Conjunction struck the Demiplane through half of Darkon, never finding a receptiveof Dread in 740, the Great Cathedral in Levkarest was audience to his fire-and-brimstone sermons. Meanwhile,nearing completion. Many of the faithful considered it visiting anchorites sent back word to the Home Faith thatlittle short of miraculous that the massive structure Raines had altered his proselytizing style since leavingsurvived the tremors with only minor damage. Borca; he now claimed that Ezra herself was granting him Some of Ezra’s clergy were even more shaken than prophetic visions.their temple, however. Some believed that the Grand Raines now spoke of a coming apocalypse he calledConjunction—commonly known as the Great Upheaval— the Time of Unparalleled Darkness. He claimed the rankswas a sign that the Legions of the Night were dangerously of the Legions of the Night would swell until they overrangaining in strength. the land. The Mists of Death, sickened by their creations, For one such anchorite, Teodorus Raines, the effects would then destroy the world, wiping the slate clean.of the Great Upheaval were profound. Raines was a Ezra would spare all she could from this final doom, butnative of Darkon, but had come to Borca to study Ezra’s her pact with the Mists of Death would only allow her toteachings under the Home Faith. Even while a young save those who had accepted her message into theiracolytes, Raines’ peers noticed his tense and suspicious hearts.

20 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT Two additional factors made Raines’ end-times that of all these entities, Ezra is the only being trulysermons all the more disturbing: First, he was quite clear guarding over the denizens of the Lands of Mist, and thusthat if you were not one of Ezra’s pious followers, you the only being truly worthy of worship.stood among the Legions of the Night. Second, he The four sects interpret this basic belief in differentclaimed the Time of Unparalleled Darkness would arrive ways; while the esoteric Port-a-Lucine sect claims thatwithin a single generation. these other gods are merely different aspects of Ezra The Home Faith was distressed by Raines’ extreme herself, the anchorites of Nevuchar Springs often depictinterpretation of the scriptures. However, he continued to the gods of other faiths as demonic beings spitefullyreceive the Shield of Ezra, the only sure sign that an luring mortal souls away from Ezra’s salvation. Both theanchorite was indeed serving Ezra in the Grand Scheme. Home Faith in Levkarest and the Mordentish sectThus the Home Faith allowed him to continue his generally acknowledge that other religions worshipproselytizing, though they lent him very little support. separate, less worthy gods, although many Mordentish By 750, Raines was literally at the end of his map. anchorites believe a special connection exists between theAll of Darkon stretched behind him, and he had not Church of Ezra and the Church of Hala (to be revealed inestablished a single new temple in an entire decade. His Van Richten’s Monster Hunter’s Compendium Volumefailures merely made him all the more determined to III, slated for release in the year 2000)spread Ezra’s word before it was too late. By the end of This pattern of agreement on basic tenets, butthe year, Raines had settled in Nevuchar Springs, and disagreement—occasionally leading to true opposition —could count his converts on one hand. When most over the exact interpretation of those tenets is endemic toDarkonians listened to Raines prophesy a time when the Ezra’s faith. Nowhere is this more true than in theunholy forces of evil would rise up to destroy the world, Church’s scriptures, The Books of Ezra.they heard only the paranoid ranting of a madman. Then the city of Il Aluk was destroyed in the The Books of EzraRequiem, and a pall fell over the whole of the newly- The holy writ of the Church of Ezra consists of fourdubbed Necropolis. Suddenly Raines’ horrific prophecies separate sections, each written by the founder of one ofseemed all too real, and he found his receptive audience the four existing sects. Although these chapters carryat last. simple numerical titles (The First Book of Ezra, Book III, Raines established a new temple of Ezra in Nevuchar etc.), some Church scholars have rarely referred to themSprings, expelling the Eternal Order from his city. Early by their authors; thus, The Books of Dilisnya, Wachter,in 751, Raines returned briefly to Levkarest, accompanied Secousse, and Raines, respectively.by half a dozen of his followers. He presented his Each of the four Books begins with the author’snightmarish visions as the Fourth Book of Ezra, and version of Ezra’s “creation myth,” and then proceeds torevealed that he and the anchorites he had trained had relate Her message for the world. The four chaptersbeen granted a new Shield of Ezra, protecting them from frequently disagree with each other both in terms ofthe insidious corruption of the Legions of the Night. The philosophy and simple facts; for example, Book I claimsRite of Revelation was fulfilled, and Raines returned to Ezra was originally a mortal, while Book III claims sheNevuchar Springs, Bastion of the fourth sect of Ezra. was a goddess. Book II explains that Ezra seeks toTENETS redeem the so-called “Legions of the Night,” while Book IV insists She is actively trying to destroy the Legions of the Night before the existence of those accursed creatures

W hat is Ezra? Was she a mortal heroine who ascended into the Mists? Was she a drags the world to its final destruction. goddess who forsook the rest of the Some critics of the faith have observed these blatant multiverse to protect the denizens of the internal contradictions and ridicule the Books of Ezra as Dread Domains? Or is she merely another nonsense. However, these critics fail to understand that false face of the ever-scheming dark none of the scriptures are intended to be a literalpowers? Ask four anchorites and one is likely to receive description of historical events. Rather, each Bookfour different answers—especially if those anchorites represents the author’s attempt to relate their own,belong to the four distinct sects of her faith. personal epiphany, distilling their rapturous experiences However, move past this apparent confusion and one into a form that can be expressed with ink and parchment.will discover that all anchorites, regardless of their Apparent contradictions, claim the anchorites, merelycredos, agree on what Ezra is now: Our Guardian in the demonstrate that Ezra’s Grand Scheme for the world isMists. The Church of Ezra is henotheistic overall; too complex for any one mortal to comprehend. Thus,although her followers do not deny the existence of other She has chosen to reveal one aspect of her divine plan at agods such as Hala, Nerull, Bane, or Zhakata, they believe time; She leaves the task it to her faithful to study The

21BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTBooks of Ezra as a whole and reach their own complex that it cannot be understood by mere mortals,interpretations. Naturally, when contradictions do arise, their doctrines almost bordering on agnosticism. Thus,the faithful tend to favor the teachings introduced by their the priests of Port-a-Lucine have dedicated themselves toown sect. the study of Ezra in all her aspects. Through means both scholarly and mystical, they seek to rebuild theirThe Grand Scheme understanding of Our Guardian in the Mists from the ground up.The Church of Ezra holds a strong belief in fate andpredestination. They believe that all of existence followswhat they call the Grand Scheme, and hold that all things Ezra the Guardianhave their place in that design. Although Ezra guides the Despite their arguments over the exact nature of theGrand Scheme, even she has a specific role within it, and Grand Scheme, all anchorites agree on Ezra’s role in thatis bound by her position. plan: She is a healer and a guardian, humanity’s lone Predictably, the different sects vary in their compassionate protector. Unfortunately, the Mists ofinterpretations of the Grand Scheme. The philosophy of Death sharply limit her influence. Unlike the gods ofthe Home Faith (favoring the lawful neutral alignment) other AD&D settings, Ezra has never manifested aninsists that all beings are assigned a specific part to play avatar, nor does she ever grant miracles to any poor soulin the Grand Scheme, a role which cannot be altered. in need; the gift of Ezra’s magic flows into her anchoritesThose who choose to become Ezra’s anchorites were exclusively. It is then her anchorites’ most solemn dutyfated to do so before their birth; the Legions of the Night to extend these blessings to the rest of the world,are to be fought, but never hated, for they too are merely watching over the faithful as Ezra watches over them.playing from a divine script. In fact, the Home Faith Anchorites are sworn to use their gifts to heal the sick,comes very close to depicting Ezra herself as a healer and protect the weak, and in general improve the lives of theprotector out of duty, not devotion. faithful. (More information on the duties of the clergy The Mordentish sect (favoring the lawful good can be found in Domains of Dread.)alignment) agrees that all creatures have a specific role in Part of the anchorite’s role as Ezra’s proxy requiresthe Grand Scheme, but claim that Ezra has granted all that he or she actively oppose the Legions of the Night,beings the right to choose the role they play. Mordentish the Church’s name for forces of evil, regardless of theiranchorites preach that even the Legions of the Night have form. At the same time the Church must add souls to thethe innate capability to enter the light of Ezra’s grace ranks of Ezra’s congregation; it is commonly acceptedthrough personal redemption. Of course, if the Legions that Ezra can only “save” the faithful. Exactly what thisrefuse this chance at salvation, they must still be repelled “salvation” entails differs slightly from sect to sect,to protect the faithful. although all anchorites agree that it refers to both physical Of all the sects, the Nevuchar Springs sect (favoring protection in this life and spiritual protection after death.the lawful evil alignment) may place the most emphasis Ever since its founding, the Home Faith has beenon the Grand Scheme. Their doctrines are filled with the forced to walk a treacherous political tightrope, avoidingchilling prophecy of the Time of Unparalleled Darkness, the machinations of Borca’s elite. The Levkarest secttheir fast-approaching Fall of Night. They hold that this focuses on keeping the faithful and the fallen clearlyapocalypse is inevitable, and that the blessed and the separated; the Church feels no particular need to aid thosedamned have already been chosen by Fate. The trick, of who reject Ezra’s word, whether they have refused Ezra’scourse, is discerning which is which. If the blessed are teachings or been lax in their faith. Meanwhile thenever awakened to Ezra’s blessing, they will be destroyed Legions of the Night are merely to be kept at bay,with the rest of the world. If the damned are mistakenly manipulated into turning against their own kind.brought into Ezra’s fold, their very nature will compel Mordentish anchorites embrace a more inclusivethem to drag the faithful down with them. doctrine, never ceasing in their attempts to lead new souls The Port-a-Lucine sect is the most unusual of all. into Ezra’s light. Those who have not yet found Ezra areThe mysterious, contrary, esoteric texts they discovered to be actively sought and brought into the faith; thehidden within the Ste. Mere des Larmes cathedral have Legions of the Night are to at least be given the chance tolead them to all but reject the Grand Scheme. shed their evil ways and find salvation. If the Legions(Accordingly, they have lost the lawful aspect of their will not redeem themselves, only then must they bealignment, and are now true neutral.) While the Port-a- eliminated as a threat to the minds and bodies of theLucine anchorites still believe that the Grand Scheme faithful. Accordingly the Mordentish sect is the mostexists, they do not believe that the exact nature of that active in its proselytizing campaign to win new souls.cosmic plan has even been reliably revealed. Some of However, the success of this campaign has been offset bytheir number even hold that the Grand Scheme is so an unfortunate trend: Many wandering Mordentish

22 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTanchorites and rural temples have simply disappeared, If an individual anchorite seeks to establish a new sect,wiped out by the Legions they sought to oppose. they must successfully perform three steps: The Port-a-Lucine sect, still searching for the true First, the supplicant must codify their personalmessage of Ezra, has been uncomfortable with the role of relationship to Ezra, and the new aspect of the Grandspreading Her word to the faithful. Although they will Scheme She has revealed, in a holy writ penned by theiradmit any member of Ezra’s flock who seeks them out, own hand.they have done little to win new souls, feeling it Second, the supplicant must demonstrate that Ezrairresponsible to preach what they cannot entirely sanction. has granted him or her a new manifestation of the ShieldFurthermore, the Port-a-Lucine anchorites lean towards of Ezra, the surest sign of her blessing. If the supplicantthe belief that Ezra’s salvation is a largely spiritual affair; cannot manifest the Shield, their petition is rejected asthey hold that Ezra holds little interest in the material lacking the endorsement of Ezra. If the supplicantworld, but stands at the end of every creature’s life, manifests the same Shield as one of the existing faiths, thewaiting to lead the souls of the faithful through the Mists Church will rule that the supplicant’s visions have notof Death and to their final reward. revealed a sufficiently distinct aspect of the Grand The Nevuchar Springs sect, of course, is the most Scheme to warrant establishing a new sect. If thefervent in the separation of the faithful and the Legions of supplicant does manifest a new Shield, the Church willthe Night. Their doomsday credo only allows them to see warily recognize that the anchorite does indeed servethe world in black and white; one is faithful to Ezra, or Ezra’s plans.one is an enemy of the faith. The Legions of the Night Lastly, the supplicant must present five acolytes, newmust be eliminated by any means possible. anchorites who have been trained under the supplicant’s teachings and now manifest the same new Shield. ThisDivination final step offers irrefutable proof that Ezra wishes the Church to spread this new aspect of her teachings.Ezra’s believers tend to place great credence in omens, If all three steps are successfully completed, theprophetic dreams, and visions; after all, the history of supplicant is granted the title of Bastion (see below), andtheir faith rests on the shoulders of a series of spiritual holy writ presented by the supplicant are incorporatedvisionaries. Many anchorites extend this awe and respect into the scriptures as a new Book of Ezra. A new sectfor divinatory magic to Vistani foretunetelling and the art will have been born.of astrology. Although never specifically referenced in Note, however, that since its founding the Church ofany of The Books of Ezra, some anchorites have also Ezra has officially recognized a total of only four sects,claimed to find mathematical codes hidden within the including the Home Faith itself. Not a year goes by thattext. Of course, any faithful follower of Ezra knows of the Great Cathedral does not receive a “new Book ofthe significant frequency of the number five within the Ezra,” but most supplicants never pass beyond this stage.scripture; this has lead Ezra’s faithful to consider five a Intriguingly, a handful of individuals have successfullylucky number, and lead the early Church to declare that completed the second step, but have proven unable toevery fifth day would be a day of worship. complete the third, possibly manifesting their new Shield However, some anchorites have taken this fascination of Ezra through trickery or the meddling of the darkwith divination and mathematics much deeper, using The powers. This is a topic of great controversy within theBooks of Ezra as their basis to delve into the arcane study Church as a whole, which has yet to agree on how theseof numerology. While the Port-a-Lucine sect approves of “heresies” should be treated.these studies, most established anchorites in the othersects warn against delving too deeply into the realm ofsuperstition. The Heresies Other than the four recognized sects, there currently existThe Rite of Revelation nearly a dozen unrecognized variations of Ezra’s teachings. Most of these heretical cults comprise a singleThe contrary nature of Ezra’s and the tradition of Church would-be anchorite trying to convert others to their cause,leaders discovering the message of Ezra through personal with differing levels of desperation or success, and mostepiphanies has lead to the rise of many wildly varying heresies die out with their founder.versions of Ezra’s scripture. A fine line exists between a These heresies have ranged from the flawed butgoddess speaking through her prophet and a madman harmless (a Mordentish offshoot which claimed that,spouting delusions; the Church’s leaders are even more since one can choose one’s role in the Grand Scheme,cognizant of this fact than the Church’s critics. there is no Grand Scheme; a vaguely neutral good After the First Schism, the Church devised a philosophy which Ezra apparently does not condone) toceremony to separate the visionaries from the madmen.

23BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTthe ridiculous (such as the heresy which claimed Ezra was Domains of Dread) when they wish, but Wardens holda man). little actual power within the Church. At least three heresies have been exposed as frauds An anchorite qualifies for the title of Toret simply bycreated by priests of the Church of Bane to discount Ezra; establishing a temple that boasts a congregation of at leastone of these attempts even managed to pass the second five followers. A Toret serves as the guardian of histest of the Rite of Revelation. congregation, and thus earns a boost in prestige within the Currently, however, two heresies have garnered a fair Church. They may request financial assistance from theiramount of attention within the Church, at least at the level founding sect (though such requests may not always beof gossip. The first of these, the Heresy of the Avatar, fulfilled to the anchorite’s satisfaction), and the Toretarose in the wake of the Great Upheaval and insists that may occasionally be called upon to act as council for theirEzra now wanders the Lands of Mist in mortal form. local Sentire. Any anchorite, including player characters,Even more widely debated is the near-legendary Final can earn the rank of Toret merely by founding a smallSect. Many anchorites, particularly those drawn into temple; like Warden, the title in independent ofnumerological study of The Books of Ezra, believe that experience level. However, their new responsibilities doEzra will establish a total of five sects before She reveals not lend themselves well to the lives of a travelingevery aspect of Her Grand Scheme. Thus, many believe adventurer.that a fifth sect will someday be founded. However, some Sentires are the leaders of significant temples, or areanchorites, especially those of Nevuchar Springs, also the overseers of a significant number of smaller templeswhisper that the fifth sect will be the Final Sect, and that spread out over a rural area. Sentires often act as theits emergence will herald that the Grand Scheme is advisors of their respective Bastions. To qualify for thenearing its final fruition, in one form or another. title, Sentires must have at least five anchorites serving under them, and their temples must have a “healthy” congregation, capable of supporting the temple financially without assistance from higher in the Church. Sentires are often associated with the regions in which they hold influence; thus it is common to hear terms such as the “Sentire of Sturben.” Even more so than the Torets, a Sentire’s days are filled tending to his

ORGANIZATION congregation and managing the daily affairs of his temple.

Thus, this rank is generally not appropriate for player characters.

T he Church of Ezra remains young and Bastions are the leaders of the recognized sects; the relatively small. It has not yet grown into title is granted to the founder of a new official sect, who the need for an extensive bureaucracy, but then hands the title to their chosen successor. Since an it does claim certain structures that all anchorite must be able to manifest the Shield of Ezra to anchorites should know. Although the successfully establish a sect or step in as a successor, all sects often disagree on matters of Ezra’s Bastions must be at least 6th level.word, they have to date succeeded in maintaining a Bastions hold considerable influence in their roles,coherent organization across the sects. and are occasionally called upon to speak at Bastions’ Councils in Levkarest, to determine vital issues affectingTitles the Church.Anchorite is merely a general term for one of Ezra’s The Praesidius (if male, Praesidia if female) is theclergy, regardless of their position within the Church. It leader of the Church of Ezra as a whole; the Praesidius isis also the most commonly used term; most anchorites often referred to as Ezra’s Champion. There can only beonly use their ecclesiastical titles when dealing with one Praesidius at a time, and the title has been handedinternal matters of rank. down from the Church’s founder, Yakov Dilisnya. A Warden stands at the bottom rung of the Although the ruling has ruffled feathers among the otherorganizational ladder. They may be lesser priests serving sects, a new Praesidius must always be drawn from thein a temple, or they may be wandering anchorites working ranks of the Home Faith, the lawful neutral sect. Toto spread the word of Ezra to new lands. As wandering qualify for the title, a prospective Praesidius must be ablepriests, most player character anchorites will hold the title to demonstrate that Ezra will personally watch over andof Warden, regardless of experience level; this rank guide him safely through the Mists of Death; thus allallows them to enjoy great deal of personal freedom, and holders of this title must have reached 9th level.they can still receive the sanctuary of the Church (see The titles of Sentire, Bastion, and Praesidius are cumulative. Thus, the current leader of the Church,

24 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTPraesidius Postoya, also holds the titles of Bastion of the ceremonies to conform to local customs wheneverHome Faith and Sentire of Levkarest. However, it is appropriate.considered a breach of etiquette to use any but the most All temples reserve each fifth day as a day ofpowerful rank. A cynic referring to Praesidius Postoya as worship. However, these days of worship count off fromthe Sentire of Levkarest is implying that he is unworthy of the founding of that specific temple, so the exact timesholding any greater title. when the anchorites hold services will vary from temple Lastly, it is worth mentioning the title of Bailey. to temple. To maintain good standing in the congregationThis is not an ecclesiastic title, and carries no particular of Ezra, a follower must (in addition to living by herrights or responsibilities. Instead, it is a title of respect teachings, of course) attend services regularly to renewoften given to the eldest (and therefore, presumably their vows to follow Ezra, and Ezra’s vow to guard overwisest) anchorite in a given temple. them. Worshippers must also tithe 10 cp each year to support their temple and show their thanks.Day-to-Day Activities Individual temples also adopt the holy days of their local congregations. Thus, while the Mordentish sectRegardless of their sect affiliation, it is the duty of all shows their respect to Nocturne in October, the Nevucharanchorites to make themselves available to their Spring sect would ignore that holiday while holdingfollowers, acting as spiritual advisors and offering what Darkest Night in deepest reverence.aid they can to their congregations. However, the In fact, all temples hold only one holiday in common:followers of the different sects generally approach this in The Feast of the First Epiphany, held on the first day oftheir own ways. worship in May (and thus the Feast is held on different Borcan anchorites often fill their days in meetings dates from year to year and from village to village). Thewith the wealthy elite, cannily attempting to convince Feast is a joyous remembrance of Ezra’s first appearancethem that it is in their best interest to support Ezra’s to Yakov Dilisnya. Celebrations are marked by a feasts,charities. Of course, these anchorites often find dances, and the reciting of blessings received in the pastthemselves just as busy soothing the fickle egos of year. In fact, the Feast of the First Epiphany is oftenBorca’s rulers. Mordentish anchorites are likewise active folded into the traditions of local spring festivals.in charitable functions, and typically try to keep theirpresence as visible as possible. The anchorites of the Dementlieur sect would never Priestly Vestmentsclose their doors to the faithful, but neither do they go out Members of the congregation are expected to dress inof their way to attract followers. If a member of Ezra’s white when attending ceremonies, but need not dress incongregation is in need, he can always know where to any special manner otherwise. Likewise, anchorites arefind the clergy—but if he does not seek them out, he may not required to don priestly vestments unless performingnever find them otherwise. The other sects disapprove of ceremonies, though many often do. The traditionalthe Dementlieur sect’s withdrawn ways, but Bastion anchorite garb consists of emerald green robes with whiteSecousse’s scribes appease their peers by producing trim. The width and pattern of this trim denotes thewondrously illuminated copies of The Books of Ezra. priest’s ecclesiastic rank; in general, the more whiteThese exquisite tomes are highly valued by other visible, the higher the rank.anchorites as works of art. In recent years, theDementlieur sect has obtained a printing press, and nowperforms an even more valuable service: They can nowproduce Ezra’s scriptures for a fraction of the cost and BASTIONS OF FAITH

B y the current year, the Church of Ezra hastime it previously took. Now even the most humble Toret spread throughout the Core. Many of itscan afford a copy of the scriptures for his temple. temples are humble, boasting only a few Lastly, the Necropolitan anchorites are known for anchorites and small congregations; sometheir active schedules. Each and every day they can be villages are served only by a singleseen wandering the streets, preaching the Word of Ezra to anchorite holding services in a local barnpassers-by. The proximity of their prophesied Fall of or tavern. Regardless, the faith is continuing to grow.Night has driven them into a desperate zeal to win new Only those domains hosting state-sponsored religionsconverts. continue to actively resist the spread of Ezra. G’Henna’s inquisition actively hunted proselytizing anchorites in theHoly Days/Important Ceremonies years before it disappeared; a series of anchorites haveEzra’s clergy perform weddings, funerals, and any other tried to establish temples in Valachan, only to findceremonies or functions their congregations might themselves tangled in Von Kharkov’s repressive policiesrequire. Anchorites are encouraged to adapt their just before vanishing entirely; and the powerful Church of

25BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTBane has all but barred the open worship of Ezra in Nova insight remains sharp and penetrating enough to stunVaasa and Hazlan. many of those who would debate his decisions. Postoya’s predecessor, Praesidius Raskolka, was anThe Great Cathedral outspoken supporter of the faith, who often decried the lascivious lifestyle of Lady Ivana Boritsi, and opposedThe Great Cathedral towers above the rooftops of her family’s attempts to extort the Church for taxes and,Levkarest, in Borca. Having taken sixty years to build, its after Ivan Dilisnya assumed control of the law, sundrylast stones were laid in place less than a decade ago, and bribes. Shortly after the ceremonies celebrating theit remains a pristine testament to Ezra’s glory. The completion of the Great Cathedral in 745, Praesidiustowering stained glass windows sparkle, and the marble Raskolka fell gravely and inexplicably ill, wasting awayfloors still gleam. The cathedral owes much of its beauty over the course of the winter. Raskolka appointed histo the sculptures created by the late artist, Nikolai trusted advisor Postoya as the new Praesidius from hisPyotrovich. A glorious statue of Ezra looms over the death bed.altar, beatifically watching over her clergy and Praesidius Postoya is still relatively new to his post,congregation, while monstrous gargoyles, symbolizing the but he has proven to be much more politically shrewdLegions of the Night, cluster near the vaulted ceilings and than his predecessor. Rumors persist that Postoya hasatop the Cathedral roof. A viewer with a keen eye will been making a series of complex deals with both Ivannote Pyotrovich’s eye for detail; all of the stone Legions, Dilisnya and Ivana Boritsi, secretly funneling “protectionno matter where they may be perched, are caught in a money” to them both. While most who know of thesefearful pose, shying away from the icon of Ezra. Some transactions believe Postoya is merely acting to ensure theold anchorites have even claimed that on dark nights, they continued survival of his faith, some believe that Postoyahave seen some of those graven fiends crawling along the has decided to take advantage of the feud which hasshadowed ceiling attempting to hide from Ezra’s gaze. flared to life between the cousins, with the ultimate goal Although only the vast chamber of worship is open to of using each to destroy the other.the public, two annexes break off from the rear of themighty cathedral. These lofty chambers house many of Praesidius Levin Postoya, human male, A11: AC 10;the Home Faith’s clergy and serve as the ultimate MV 12; hp 55; THAC0 14; #AT 1; Dmg by weapon;administrational headquarters for the entire Church. Each SZ M (5’10”); ML steady (12); Str 9, Dex 13, Con 10, Intannex also houses two smaller, private worship halls 16, Wis 17, Cha 16; AL LN.where anchorites—or influential patrons—can pay theirrespects to Ezra in private. The Borcan Chain of Succession The controversial statue of Yakov Dilisnya, alsocarved by the great Pyotrovich, still stands at the foot of Praesidius Yakov Dilisnya (666-698)the steps leading up to the Great Cathedral’s front doors. Praesidia Donella Borovsky (698-716)It bears an inscription inviting all who pass to enter Praesidia Kristyn Stoyista (716-735)Ezra’s temple and her faith. Yakov’s memorial is also his Praesidius Alexei Raskolka (735-746)headstone; the body of Ezra’s first anchorite is sealed Praesidius Levin Postoya (746-)beneath the statue’s base. The remains of Dilisnya’s successors are laid to rest Levkarest Anchorite Characterswithin the catacombs beneath the cathedral; only the Anchorite characters who follow the Home Faith followbones of the most pious and ardent defenders of the faith the rules for lawful neutral anchorites presented incan hope to ever be interred within those stone walls. Domains of Dread.Rumors hint of additional chambers at the ends of hiddenpassages, where Praesidius Postoya himself has removedthe blight of lycanthropy from at least one member of his The Chapel of Pure Heartsflock—for an appropriate tithe, of course. Half a century the founders of the Mordentish sect raised enough funds to build a small but respectable chapel inPraesidius Levin Postoya Mordentshire, on a lot adjoining the open-air marketplace. The anchorites continue to hold servicesBorn in 697, Levin Postoya’s eyes are hidden behind there to this day; weddings and Feast of the Firstthick glass lenses, his vision all but destroyed by the Epiphany ceremonies have often been known to spill outdecades he spent laboriously and lovingly scribing copies into the marketplace.of The Books of Ezra. His illuminated tomes are now as The entire Chapel of Pure Hearts could easily fithighly sought among collectors as the Port-a-Lucine texts. within the public worship hall of the Great Cathedral.However, although he may be nearly blind physically, his The building consists of little more than the worship hall,

26 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTa few offices in the rear, and large cellar the anchoritesuse for various purposes. Most anchorites live elsewhere Bastion Sarlota Otravain or around Mordentshire, or merely visit or a regular Sarlota Otrava has been the Bastion of Mordent for justbasis as they make their rounds from one remote under a decade. A statuesque beauty with pale skin andMordentish hamlet to the next. raven hair and eyes, she always covers herself head to toe Although the Mordentish priests studiously maintain in the green and white robes of her faith. Her onlytheir temple, even decorating it with fresh-cut flowers in addition to the traditional wardrobe is the long, blackthe spring and summer, they have made very few attempts satin gloves she wears at all times.to transform their humble temple into the glorious shrine Bastion Otrava is extremely popular among thesome of their peers would expect. Only a colorful stained faithful, not just for her compassion and personalglass window above the temple doors, depicting an icon charisma, but for her striking similarity to Ezra herself.of Ezra, betrays any attempts at splendor. The reason for Bastion Otrava is not quite as popular among her clergy,this humility is simple: the anchorites under Bastion however. While the congregation finds Otrava’s chasteOtrava consider their snug chapel a purely temporary mannerisms appealing, those who deal with her dailyhome. sometimes consider her aloof. Striking closer to the heart The ruined church of an abandoned faith lies just of her follower’s complaints, however, is that like the twonorth of town, crumbling into ruin since a bolt of Bastions of Mordent before her, Sarlota Otrava migratedlightning in the fall of 579 reduced it to a guttered shell. here from the Home Faith in Borca. There is a growingToday the ruined church has crumbled away to almost sentiment among the Mordentish anchorites that theirnothing, just a few pitted stone walls jutting up from the Bastion should be a native. Although Otrava refuses tograssy loam. The churchyard surrounding the old ruin discuss the matter publicly, she has let her closesthas remained in use, however, and the anchorites have advisors know that she will ensure her successor istaken it upon themselves to maintain the weathered old Mordentish born.graves. The sect’s eventual goal is to raise enough funds Born in Levkarest in 711, Sarlota Otrava grew to beto rebuild and resanctify the old temple into a worthy an enticing young beauty. So much so, in fact, that in 729house of Ezra’s worship. Although the rebuilt church will she caught the eye of Ivana Boritsi, and was unwillinglynever challenge the Great Cathedral in size or grandeur, it transformed into an ermordenung. Ivana had recentlywill serve well as a loving tribute to Our Guardian in the been rebuffed by a handsome anchorite, and she sent herMists. new minion out to seduce and destroy the man. Sarlota The clergy received a major boost towards this goal joined the priesthood to gain access to the priest, neverjust over a decade ago, when the Weathermays granted expecting that her ruse would become her life. Thethe ruined church’ property to the sect. It is fairly well anchorite was suffering a crisis of faith; almost as soon asknown that the Weathermays offered this gift to the sect Sarlota introduced herself to her prey, he decided that hisin repayment for saving the life of the young Gennifer heart truly lay with the teachings of the Mordentish faith.Weathermay-Foxgrove after a brutal animal attack; some A lethal assassin, but still an inexperienced girl, Sarlotawagging tongues hint the Weathermays may have also followed the anchorite as his protégé.been influencing the anchorites to keep various unsavory In Mordent Sarlota was removed from the directaspects of that attack a secret. influence of her creator. She continued to feign interest Despite this generous gift, the Mordentish anchorites in the faith by studying the priests’ text. Before she knewremain many years and thousands of gold pieces away it, Sarlota had become devout. She was one of thefrom their goal. Since the anchorites spend most of their Legions of the Night, an ermordenung, a creature thatexcess funds to support smaller temples and various could exist only to spread death. Yet here she was taughtcharities across Mordent, Verbrek, and beyond, the day that even she, a true monster, could find redemption. Herwhen Ezra’s new cathedral is complete is but a distant plans to murder her mentor were forgotten as she openeddream. herself to Ezra’s message, and as time passed her hatred Some preliminary work has been done, however, as for her condition softened into a silent regret that sheworkers test the foundations of the ruined church. could never confess to the true, growing love she felt forIntriguingly, a pair of surveyors claim to have recently her mentor.discovered a half-flooded, forgotten cellar or catacombs Three years later, Sarlota was still faithfully servingbeneath the old church, its entrance sealed by rubble and under her mentor as he wandered the lands, her love stillearth for nearly 200 years. The Church has not yet had unspoken. While trying to establish a small temple tothe opportunity to thoroughly search those claustrophobic Ezra in Arkandale, her mentor was struck down in battletunnels, however. with one of the nefarious Timothy clan—one of the unrepentant Legions of the Night. As he lay dying, Sarlota’s mentor asked her to kiss him at last, confessed

27BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTthat he had always known of her feelings, and shared anchorites heatedly debate each other’s philosophies,them. Weeping, Sarlota said she could not, confessing tearing them down through their own interpretations. Toher true nature; that her touch was death. Her mentor truly understand Ezra, they claim, is to become as oneadmitted that he had always known that as well. But he with Her. Many members of this sect believe that truecould die in peace, knowing that he had saved her. understanding of Ezra can come only with the passing of Sarlota’s mentor died in her arms, and her faith grew this life; some theorize that Ezra watches over them nowto rival that of any Bastion. She returned to the so they can prepare to watch over her faithful in theMordentshire temple, serving Wachter’s successor afterlife. It surprises few to learn that most of theBastion Denisovich with dedication and distinction. Heresies have arisen from Ste. Mere des Larmes.Though some may have resented Denisovich’s decision to The anchorites also continue to explore theirname Sarlota his successor, none could deny that she had crumbling home. Some anchorites (always from otherearned the title. sects) spread rumors that the priests in Port-a-Lucine have Bastion Otrava keeps her lethal touch a carefully found not one, but three hidden, sealed sub-cellarsguarded secret, never allowing anyone to even brush beneath their home, one below the next, and that theagainst her bare skin. While most people believe Otrava priests press further and further into these long-forgottenhas simply made a vow of chastity, she has allowed a chambers, the secrets they find grow stranger andselect few of her closest advisors to know the truth. stranger.Bastion Sarlota Otrava, ermordenung, A9: AC 9; MV Perhaps the strangest feature of the Ste. Mere des15; hp 63; THAC0 16; #AT 1; Dmg by weapon or Larmes, however, is the one which first greets mostspecial; SZ M (5’11”); ML champion (15); SA poison; visitors: the glorious stained glass icon of the “SaintedSD poison; Str 9, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 16, Mother of Tears” herself, identical in all but a few detailsCha 17; AL LG. to the commonly accepted image of Ezra. It is said that if downtrodden souls pray for relief before the image, theThe Chain of Succession Sainted Mother will sometimes be moved to take their sorrows onto herself. However, if the supplicant isBastion Felix Wachter (698-716) insufficiently worthy, the Sainted Mother may unleash herBastion Vladimir Denisovich (716-744) stored misery onto him!Bastion Sarlota Otrava (744-) The anchorites warn of the Sainted Mother’s fickle kindness with a tale about two sisters. One of the sistersMordentshire Anchorite Characters had a twisted leg, which lamed her and made her relyAnchorite characters who follow the Mordentish sect upon her healthy sister to survive. The lamed sisteradhere to the rules for lawful good anchorites presented in prayed for the Sainted Mother to heal her twisted leg, soDomains of Dread. that she might no longer be a burden to her beleaguered sister. The Sainted Mother answered the prayer, and theSte. Mere des Larmes girl walked out on two healthy legs. Then the girl’s sister came, and she too prayed for the Sainted Mother to healThe Gothic spires of the crumbling Ste. Mere des Larmes her sister’s leg, for the girl was a burden she was tired ofcathedral reach out to the sky from the very center of carrying. Immediately, both her legs twisted and bent,Port-a-Lucine. The anchorites here lead a paradoxical and she spent the rest of her days begging her healedexistence, living a detached, hermetic lifestyle in the heart sister for succor.of the Core’s most cosmopolitan city. The anchorites under the wizened Bastion Secoussehave made some minor repairs to their cathedral, Bastion Joan Secoussereinforcing areas that were in danger of collapse, but for Joan Secousse has served as the Bastion of Dementlieuthe most part they have chosen to preserve the structure’s since she founded the sect in 709. Now seventy-fourdecayed grandeur. If not for the flickering lights seen in years of age, she has started evaluating candidates tothe cathedral’s windows each night, most locals might name as her successor.still believe the cathedral was deserted. Bastion Secousse has a round, kindly face and Most of the anchorites live within a few blocks of the twinkling blue eyes. She wears her long, hair tied in acathedral, though Bastion Secousse personally lives bun. Once a sandy blond, it has now faded into silver.within the cathedral itself with a few of her advisors. Bastion Secousse’s grandmotherly appearance is instantly Cocooned within, the priests pore over their shattered as soon as she speaks, however. Her dialoguesrediscovered texts, each anchorite trying to discover their are often so deeply entrenched in highly esoteric,own, personal understanding of the true nature of Ezra spiritualistic mysteries that all but her most devoted andand Her Grand Scheme. When not busy in research, the learned followers may find their heads swimming. She is

28 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTthe type of woman who can convince her listeners that Neblus, preventing the Church of Ezra from gaining anythey do not exist; that they are merely an aspect of a footholds in their city. In the cities west of Il Aluk,dream of an entity than can never hope to understand. arriving anchorites find that another usurping faith, theParadoxically, she will then insist that understanding is cult of the Overseer, has already filled the cracks of doubtall that matters, and she has little patience for those who the anchorites play on. Like the Church of Ezra, the cultcannot keep up with her philosophy. of the Overseer had been contained to a single city, Bastion Secousse is also one of the Obedient, as are Martira Bay, in the years before the Requiem. Now themost of her advisors. However, this barely affects their rival faiths reach out from their coastal bases to claim thefaith or daily life. Yes, when d’Honaire’s thugs come hearts of the faithful.calling, the anchorites jump to assist them but for the Visiting anchorites will notice one feature of themost part, the anchorites ignore Dementlieu and Nevuchar Springs sect immediately: Bastion Raines hasDementlieu ignores the anchorites. decided that it is reprehensible to bar the blessings of Ezra to demihumans, claiming the absence of demihumanBastion Joan Secousse, human female, A14: AC 10; anchorites in the others sects to be the result of culturalMV 12; hp 70; THAC0 12; #AT 1; Dmg by weapon; fears and superstition, not the will of Ezra. To this end,SZ M (5’7”); ML champion (16); Str 9, Dex 11, Con 8, Raines has allowed demihumans into his clergy, three ofInt 15, Wis 18, Cha 15; AL N. his closest advisors are in fact elves.

Port-a-Lucine Anchorite Characters Bastion Teodorus Raines

Anchorite characters who follow the Mordentshire sect Bastion Raines is a tall, angular man of thirty, with theadhere to the rules for lawful good anchorites presented in face of a scholar but the sleek physique of an athlete. HeDomains of Dread. has close-cropped, dark brown hair, and a thin scar running across his lips, a reminder of his early days as anThe Last Redoubt anchorite in Darkon. For every convert to his cause, there is another whoWhen Teodorus Raines returned to Nevuchar Springs calls Teodorus Raines a fanatical madman. This he mayafter being appointed the Bastion of Necropolis, he and be, but his faith is pure. Bastion Raines truly believeshis followers wasted no time in establishing a worthy with all his heart and soul that a monstrous apocalypse istemple. His followers laid siege to the local temple of the looming on the horizon. He truly believes that he has lessEternal Order, throwing the residing priests out on their than a generation’s time to rescue as many souls asears and attacking those who resisted them. Bastion possible by bringing them into Ezra’s faith. He alsoRaines claimed the temple, filled with its ghastly icons of believes that as the Time of Unparalleled Darkness fallslooming death, in the name of Ezra. His followers then the Legions of the Night will endeavor to destroy hisproceeded to smash most of the religious idols and icons faithful flock out of spite, fear, and their own evil natures.they found, replacing leering stone skulls with cracked Raines is thus a profoundly devout worshipper ofrubble. Now, somehow, the temple appears even more Ezra with the noblest of intentions, but he is utterlymacabre, having been purposefully crumbled into ruthless in his methods. Raines and his followers believepremature ruin. that the priests of all other religions are luring souls away From here in the seat of his power, Bastion Raines from Ezra’s protection, and thus damning them. Ifhas worked at a feverish pace to spread his version of the Raines’ followers do not murder the clergy of opposingword of Ezra. As the Eternal Order collapses, Raines has priests openly in the streets, it is merely because they dospread his influence to fill the gaps, finding a populace all not wish to risk legal repercussions or frighten offtoo eager to listen to him, all too convinced that his possible converts.prophecies are eerily reminiscent of their daily reality. The Fall of Night is near at hand, so Bastion RainesTo date, the Nevuchar Springs sect has extended its believes, and he will be ready when it comes. In secretfingers to nearly every Necropolitan city east of Il Aluk. chambers within his Nevuchar temple, Raines hasIn many of these cities the anchorites have expelled the imprisoned several examples of the Legions of the Night:priests of the Eternal Order, either destroying or usurping werebeasts, a vampyre, undead horrors that fled from Iltheir temples and property. In other cities, however, the Aluk; anything he can capture. When not preaching firetwo faiths are more equally matched, and continue their and brimstone to his faithful, Raines and his trustedverbal and physical skirmishes to capture the worship of advisors spend their time in these secret chambers,the masses. torturing these captured monstrosities to discover their Raines’ sect has encountered opposition, however. weaknesses.The Eternal Order has mounted a strong resistance in

Nevuchar Springs Anchorite Characters

Full rules for creating player character anchoritesfollowing the Borcan, Mordentish, and Dementlieur sectswere provided in Domains of Dread. The lawful evilanchorites of Bastion Raines’ sect adhere to those rules,with the following modifications. Spells: Lawful evil anchorites have major access inthe spheres of All, Charm, Divination, Guardian, andHealing. They have minor access to the spheres ofProtection, Wards, Law, and Combat. Arms and Armor: As with all anchorites, followersof the lawful evil sect can only wear metal armor. Likethe true neutral sect, Bastion Raines allows his followersto use any one-handed weapon, and requires them to carrya shield. Furthermore, he requires that all of hisanchorites carry at least one weapon on their person at alltimes, remaining ever vigilant to the threat of the Legionsof the Night. Shield of Ezra: The lawful evil Shield of Ezraperforms exactly as described in Domains of Dread, withthis effect: The anchorite is rendered immune to all mind-affecting magic. Bastion Raines claims this blessingkeeps his anchorites free of corruption.

30 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT

A YEAR IN RAVENLOFT . . . Is a Long, Long Time Indeed Compiled and Edited by Stuart Turner stu@kargatane.com

INTRODUCTION believe the Mordentish moon-phase device Holder

obtained earlier this year. I think I might enjoy a trip to Nova Vaasa around that time . . .

I n June and July of 1999, a Kargatane competition asked people to contribute holidays, festivals and other significant January dates that might appear on a Ravenloft calendar. The Kargatane received and Fireworks’ New Year Feast voted on more than fifty entries. This January 1compilation collects our favorite contributions to the Rokushima Táiyoocompetition, some of the events that have appeared in The inhabitants of this domain believe that explosives andother RAVENLOFT products, and a few of the Kargatane’s fireworks cast away evil spirits, especially on New Year’sown suggestions. Eve. On the day that opens the new year, in this domain smokepowder is as precious as gold, since virtually every individual, even infants and the elderly, welcome the NewErnst Turagdon’s Diary Year in such a fashion. From midnight on New Year’s4th August, 753 Eve to the next one, the sound of exploding fireworks fills the air, and the entire domain seems to shiver.At long last, today I completed gathering information to Wandering companies of smokepowder experts take carehelp us get by without our Poor Smythe’s Almanac. of organizing fireworks spectacles. The Faira noDrawden will have to learn to be more careful with the Shoukans (or “summoners of flames”) have forbooks in future. Of all the possibilities, losing it to the generations provided the best fireworks in all ofDripping Thing Lurking Among the Rafters is really most Rokushima Táiyoo. Their skills have been demonstratedembarrassing. While Mynilar has done his best to find a by producing anything from a bright cascade in the void,replacement copy in neighboring domains, it would to a terrifying, fiery dragon. During other times of theappear that we had one of the last intact versions. year, the Faira no Shoukans have been known to appear Nevertheless, this exercise has been most instructive in other domains.to me. I have, for example, learned that wheninterrogating small children one should seat them on awooden chair, not a nice upholstered one. I have also Fanton Griswold’s Daylearned to never even bring up the subject of alcohol in January, first full moonthe presence of Mynilar. The room we interrogated the Barovia, Tepest, Falkovnia, G’HennaInvidian merchant in still smells peculiar. Fanton Griswold is mostly a children’s tale used by I think I shall send our collection of significant dates parents to scare their children into behaving. (“If youto Lady Kazandra. It would seem that the Almanac was don’t do as mother tells you, Fanton Griswold will comemore than a little out of date with regards to the for your face!”). On Fanton Griswold’s Day, however, nocelebrations and festivals of these lands. (Which frankly one in the superstitious domains of the middle Coreshould not surprise me for a document that refers to “the speaks the dreaded name in vain. Griswold is a legendaryrecently-crowned King Azalin”.) I suspect she will find it figure who supposedly bet his face against untold richesuseful to plan her holidays. to a hag that he could slay a vengeful dragon. Griswold As for myself, I may try and escape this small lost, and the hag tore away his face and set him to wanderbookshop for a journey to Kantora later this year. The the domains. On the first full moon of the new year, hefirst new moon of December occurs on the 7th, if I am to plods through the snow of each village, looking for a

31BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFThouse to enter. On these nights, a family must plug up its Whether this is due to the influence and rituals of thechimney and surround its house with a ring of salt. Of holiday or simple coincidence is unknown.course, the price of salt generally skyrockets around thenew year as a result. Those families who cannot affordthe precious mineral must plug their chimneys and wait Februaryup all night for three sharp raps on their door. They must Day of Silent Hoperespond at the door with three long raps and two short February 3ones. A thumping in the chimney will follow as Griswold Baroviaattempts to climb down. If the chimney is plugged, A visitor to Barovia on this date might barely know thatGriswold will give up and move on to the next house. any particular event is being commemorated. To anThe legend says that if Griswold manages to get into the ethnic Gundarakite, however, this day is an importanthouse, he will steal the faces of any children who are reminder of why hope is worth maintaining in the face ofpresent. tyranny. Enough occurrences of knocks on doors and sounds When Duke Gundar was assassinated on this day inin the chimney have actually occurred in Barovian and 736, the Gundarakites experienced a brief, but liberatingFalkovnian villages to keep the populations steadfast in sense of freedom. Their joy was cut short when Lordtheir observance of this grim night’s rituals. Strahd annexed the lands of the former Gundarak, and Barovian boyars and burgomeisters moved in to rule overRemembrance the natives.January, first new moon Gundarakites use this day to privately rememberNecropolis what freedom felt like. Within the confines of theirThe holiday of Remembrance was created by the Eternal homes, they pray for the strength to live through this timeOrder. The day serves several purposes. Officially, it is a of oppression so that they might again see themselves freecelebration that the dead had not returned in the previous of tyranny. Whether praying to Nerull or theyear, and a way of warding them for the coming year. Morninglord, this helps maintain the guttering flame ofUnofficially, it simply serves as a way of beginning the hope they keep deep within their breast for the comingyear with a somewhat joyous occasion. The actual church year.celebration begins at sundown on the night of the first Obviously, the Barovian boyars and burgomeistersnew moon of a year, when the dead are supposed to be do not approve of such an event. Used to keeping secretsclose to the land. During the day beforehand, people put from their overlords, however, the Gundarakites areup decorations of paper skeletons and tissue ghosts, bake remarkably adept at ensuring no indication of the day’sbreads and sweets in the shapes of skulls, take offerings activities is seen by the Barovians. As such, little actionof food, flowers, or other items to the graves of relatives, has been taken to date to stop this day of prayer.and children create masks to wear during the celebrations.Jack-o-Lanterns are also carved, due to their supposed Lucine Carnivalpower over the dead and undead. (Some of these may February 20-23manifest unexpected powers—see DRAGON Magazine Dementlieu, Mordent#252.) In the urban areas, great masquerades are often Every year, the Lucine Carnival attracts people fromheld to commemorate the day, while in rural areas people domains far and wide. It takes place mainly inmay privately reminisce, or gather the family for a Dementlieu, as name suggests, but lesser celebrations areluncheon picnic among the graves of relatives, also held in Mordent. In Dementlieu it engages workerssymbolically inviting them to dine with them. When from all the guilds of Port–a–Lucine. During the year, thesundown arrives, people go to the local Church of the merchants’ guild imports silk and other textiles fromEternal Order for an all-night vigil, praying to the various surrounding domains, including the purchase of high-powers of death, the dead, the undead, and ancestors to quality wool from the shepherds of Lamordia. They sellhold back the spirits of the deceased for one more year. these textiles to the weavers, who work day and night for Since the time of the Requiem, this holiday has weeks to create shirts and costumes of amazing quality.become less popular among some in the community, as Elaborate motifs in gold and silver, resembling flowers orhas the Eternal Order. In other areas, the religious aspect jewels, adorn many clothes, along with light fuseauxhas been de-emphasized and is considered more of a (pants), pompous brocades and soft cloaks. Thesecular holiday. Oddly enough, despite the macabre goldsmiths’ guild provides pieces of art manufacturedflavor of the holiday, it is one of the few times in the with the utmost care, like bracelets, earrings andLand of Mists where the undead are quieter than usual. necklaces. With the aid of the blacksmiths, they work on metallic masks. In the days before the Carnival women

32 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTand bakers (both in Dementlieu and Mordent) make for use in his campaigns against the wizard-king. It hasnemen, a traditional sweet made of almonds and grain, since become his personal inventory of the masses heand shrapfses, a kind of pancake enriched with sugar and commands.spices and unusually crunchy. To undertake all of these Falkovnian citizens hear of the Census’ imminence atactivities artisans are sometimes hired from neighboring the beginning of the appointed year, the news spreadingdomains. across the Core lands like wildfire. The reason for its Two specialists play an important role in the importance is simple. On this day, every Falkovnian iscarnival. One is the famous Lumen Company from judged and told how they will serve their lord for the nextChateaufaux that organizes Port-a-Lucine’s lighting. three years of their life.They are so skillful in placing and arranging rows of On the morning of the Census, each citizen mustlanterns and oil lamps that the light they provide seems report to their hometown in Falkovnia (or, if born inboth magical and natural. The spiral structure of the city another domain, to the closest Falkovnian troopsstreets allows them to arrange these lights like an barracks) to register their details. These include name,enormous web centering on the Guild Halls at its core. If occupation (whether soldier, bureaucrat, trader or slave),the city is seen from a high place, such as the lighthouse, hometown, sex, age, race, and rank under Drakov’s laws.this lighting provides a breathtaking vista. The ranks, in order of social status, are General, Captain, The other specialists involved are the Faira no Lieutenant, Soldier, Trader, Ward of the State, Foreigner,Shoukans from Rokushima Táiyoo (see Fireworks’ New Criminal and Enemy of the State. Visitors to Falkovnian-Year Feast). They bring a variety of explosives, and ruled lands may come to realize that there is very littleilluminate the festival with fireworks that take the shape difference between the status of “Foreigner” andof beasts and dragons in the night sky. “Criminal”. This is also the day when new births—if not already registered—are recorded, and the branding withCensus Eve Drakov’s Falcon takes place.February 28, once every three years The most dangerous offense a citizen can commit isFalkovnia, Invidia to not turn up to the Census. If a citizen fails to presentThis is the evening before Census Day (see below). Due himself or herself, they are summarily condemned withto the foreboding nature of the Census (when members of the rank of Criminal. At the dawning of the next daya family may not return), the tradition of a Census Eve (March 2nd), a report is drawn up to be presented to thedinner is widely followed amongst Falkovnian local Captain, including a list of all Criminals. The localcommunities. The meal is usually one of the best a militia hunts down these criminals, and if found, they areFalkovnian will ever have, with foodstuffs and wines that presented before their Captain for suitable punishment. Ifhave been secreted away for this night finally used. Old they remain elusive after ten days, however, they becomeoaths are renewed, and births and marriages over the last an Enemy of the State and are hunted by the Talons. Thisfew years are celebrated again. Drakov has let this is a job they perform exceedingly well—they will hunt aspractice continue, despite the fragment of hope it brings long as necessary to catch their prey, and, in most cases,to his citizens, as it usually leads to many long lost no Enemies live to register for the next Census.criminals returning home to celebrate with their family,who can be swiftly snapped up by alert Talon patrols. New Year’s Day March 1March Sithicus March 1st is celebrated by the Elves that have made itCensus Day through the harsh Sithicus winter alive. The elves prayMarch 1, once every three years and fast during the day, giving thanks to the gods andFalkovnia, Invidia expressing hope for the coming new year. They alsoOne of the constant reminders of Lord Drakov’s influence mourn and remember those they lost during the previousover his people is Census Day, a day of pride for the Lord year. This origin of this holiday is the formation of theof Falkovnia, and of fear for all his subjects. The taking domain of Sithicus itself, which occurred during theof the infamous Census has been conducted on this date month of March.every three years (due to the length of time it takes toprocess the reports from each Census) ever since its Rose Dayinduction in the year 701. The 18th and most current March 9Census was taken in 752. Drakov initiated the Census Dementlieu, Richemulot, Mordent, Necropolisafter his first failed invasion of Darkon in 700, to Rose Day is a day for romance. On Rose Day, it isdetermine the number of fit troops that might be available traditional for young men to present tokens of affection to

33BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTyoung ladies. It is considered unlucky for a man not to been found in compromising positions with the modelsgive a gift, or for a young lady not to receive one. It is during the event.also considered unlucky if a woman gives a man a gift on Among the current crop of beautiful ladies who takeRose Day. Roses are considered an especially lucky gift. part in the twice-daily modeling galas is JosephinaFurther, on Rose Day it is traditional to place garlands of Antonette Dugarrie, the Reigne Primtemps (Springflowers over the door and windows of one’s home. On Queen) for the last sixteen years. Many women haveRose Day, many cities and villages hold community wondered at the everlasting beauty of Josephina, whichdances in the evening, a holdover from the ancient origins by all accounts has not lessened since the day she wasof the holiday. This holiday is a favorite in Dementlieu, first voted Spring Queen, in 736. Some have stirredwhere the wealthy frequently exchange slightly risqué emotions by claiming that their own beauty seems to havegifts such as wine and lingerie. been lost since Josephina began appearing at the Semaine de la Mode. Others spread rumors that she has been toSpring Mourning Ludendorf where expert doctors have conducted sensitiveMarch 21 operations on her face, or that she wears special makeup.Vorostokov More sinister whisperings imply that Josephina has rarely,In most lands and domains, the first day of spring is a if ever, been seen during the day.time of celebration. This is not so in the eternal winter ofVorostokov, however. Spring Equinox has become St. Nathan’s FestivalSpring Mourning, a day in which the people of this frozen April 1-7land mourn for the loss of normal seasons, as well as The Shadowborn Clusterthose who have passed on during the preceding year. The This festive week marks a gathering of champions inBoyar and darklord of the land, Gregor Zolnik still insists Nidalia to compete in a long tournament to determine thethat his Boyarsky have a day of revelry and celebration most powerful men in the cluster. Folk travel from mileswithin the confines of his hall. The party usually turns around to witness the festivities, which include jousting,gruesome as the werewolves transform to go hunting hand-to-hand combat, and other physical sports. Theamong the villages. Thus, among the poor villagers, the winners of the tournament are declared on the seventhday has come to signify loss. A typical Spring Mourning day, and have the honor of accompanying Lady Faith-involves visiting the graves of those lost the preceding hold, the ruler of Nidalia, in a quest to root out an evilyear, followed by sprinkling seeds on the frozen gardens, monster of Faith-hold’s choosing. (Of course, Faith-a symbolic gesture of hope, although mostly futile. As hold’s tainted paladinhood means that these missions mayevening comes, the villagers lock themselves in their be colored by her own warped view of evil.)houses and wait, sleeplessly, for dawn to come, whilelistening to the howls of the wolves. The Day of Unspoken Talents April 11, once every three yearsApril Vistani This is a Vistani celebration of, ironically, both pride andSemaine de la Mode humility. It occurs but once every three years, from dawnApril 1-6 to dawn. During that period, no practicing Vistana overDementlieu five years of age will speak, at least in ordinaryThe Semaine de la Mode (or Fashion Week) is an event conversation. To do so would show excessive hubris, andheld every year in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel in invite some personal disaster. Instead each Vistana, fromPort-a-Lucine. During this week the famous and beautiful youngest to oldest, will display and practice whatevergather for a series of presentations where gorgeous talents they have: singing, dancing, cooking, acting,women from Dementlieu and nearby domains exhibit the juggling, riding, craft-making, fortune-telling, spell-styles and clothes that will set the trend for the coming casting, wrestling, wiggling the ears, you name it.year. Famous couturiers (dressmakers) include Ezio Especially appreciated are hidden talents, and manyFigari, Jacques Sole, and Catherina Bonaerotto, who is Vistani will go out of their way to reveal “new” skills onresponsible for giving rise to the use of unique hats this day.among the women of high society. If circumstances allow, a tribe will, without asking, Governor Chief Conseiller (Counselor) Dominic peacefully but insistently invade the nearest non-Vistanid’Honaire is an active sponsor of this event, and is always settlement and perform for the residents, for oncein the first row watching with enthusiasm when the expecting (and taking) nothing in payment, but looking tomodels make their appearance. Dominic has, in the past, the giorgio for appreciation and, in the case of contests, fair judging. Outsiders are not asked to join in any of the

34 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTactivities or perform for the Vistani, but are looked on This date marks the birthday of Prince Othmar of thevery favorably if they do. If there are no neighboring Bolshnik family, the most powerful in Nova Vaasa. Insettlements at the time (or if they are simply too hostile), Kantora, where the Bolshniks live, the morningthe Vistani will celebrate amongst themselves. No celebrations involve a parade of the family’s cavalry andwarning is ever given to outsiders that the Day of militia, as they march to Castle Stonegard for inspectionUnspoken Talents is coming, nor any direct explanation by the Prince.offered of its significance. If necessary, however, a The event, however, which drives most of the activitydesignated, natural storyteller, preferably a child, will on this day, is Prince Othmar’s gracious reduction of therecite a fable extolling the virtues of self-love, sales tax from 100% to a paltry 25% on this day alone.cooperation, and family pride, while denouncing personal This has a massive impact on the markets of the cities,pride and selfishness. with merchants trading at a frenzied pace as they try and The Vistani are unnaturally brave and secure on this take advantage of the “low” tax rate. Horse trading inday, and even mortal enemies are strangely reluctant to do particular is popular, with many breeders bringing theiranything but watch the festivities. youngest foals to market especially for this day. Prince Othmar also sponsors a competition for theBleak Morning (I) finest horse of the market, as judged by the Captain of theApril 21 Prince’s cavalry. It is a great honor for a horse breeder toFalkovnia have one of their horses selected by the Captain, andBleak Morning is an unofficial day of mourning in usually dramatically increases the asking price for theirFalkovnia. The dates remembered are those on which horses.Vlad Drakov initiated attacks on Darkon, and horriblyfailed. Each day is regarded as a day of the dead, as Junealmost every family in Falkovnia has lost at least one Meistersinger Contestrelative on the battlefields. Drakov has forbidden his populace from any outward June, Summer Solsticeshow of mourning on these days, as they remind him of Kartakasshis defeat. Most Falkovnians, however, hold short, This day serves both a political and a social purpose insomber sermons in the privacy of their homes or with the domain of Kartakass. Not only is it a celebration offamilies to venerate the dead, and pray, against all music and song for the people of the villages ofprobability, that Vlad will not send their sons out to war Kartakass, it elects the Meistersinger for the coming yearagain. in each village. It is a birthright of all born in Kartakass Several bards have written songs and dirges to challenge for the position of Meistersinger.especially for these days. The most infamous is a satiric The event actually begins the night before thesong, ‘My Friends Are Dead But Still They Dance’. It is summer solstice, when the Meistersinger throws anaccompanied, when performed, by stiff, jerky dancing. extravagant masquerade at his or her place of residence.The song is most popular with Falkovnian children, but Invitations are issued to many of the wealthy residents,even they are wise enough not to sing it in the face of the but any bards who wish to attend may do so without aTalons. written invitation. Within the major townships of Skald and Harmonia, costumes at this masquerade can be extremely elaborate and expensive. Vast quantities ofMay meekulbrau can be found at the party in almost anyFeast of the First Epiphany village.Early May The purpose of the gathering is to allow intendingBorca, Mordent, Dementlieu, Necropolis and others challengers to the current Meistersinger to sign up for theThe Feast of the First Epiphany is an important holiday competition to follow on the summer solstice. It is thefor the Church of Ezra, held on the first day of worship in birthright of any Kartakan citizen to challenge theMay. The exact date of the holiday varies from region to Meistersinger at the annual contest, but in reality theregion. For more information on this event, see the expensive costumes and aristocratic nature of the partiesarticle “Anchors of the Faith” within The Book of Secrets. in the larger towns means that poorer bards are unable to sign up for the contest. Of course, most Kartakans would also suggest that a poor bard is an unlikely candidate toBolshnik Day be able to defeat a Meistersinger!May 20 After signing up, the contestant must sing a preludeNova Vaasa to the guests, to preview their singing abilities.

35BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT The next day, at dusk, the entire village gathers to who rule Nova Vaasa, ensuring that the divine right oflisten to the singing contest at the local common. In rulers is maintained, and that none are overstepping theirHarmonia, this is held at the Amphitheater, while in Skald power. As Bane is considered to be paying closethe common lawn at the center of Upper Skald is used. In attention to his followers on this night, it is also believedsmaller towns, the local hall or tavern may be used. So that no lies can be told.important is singing in the lives of the Kartakans that this This makes the Night of Bright Truths an importantevent is extraordinarily popular, leaving the rest of the political day for Nova Vaasans. A council of nobles,town practically deserted. representing each of the five ruling families, meets in Before the contest begins, and out of sight of the Kantora on this night to discuss and resolve importantaudience, a traditional toast is made by the Meistersinger issues. Although only one of a series of regular meetings,to his competitors. many decisions are actively delayed until this night in “Oh, let us sing with joyful tones a song that stirs us order to ensure that the most honest and responsibleto our bones. And should we fail to win the crown, oh, let outcome is reached.us willingly step down.” Among the rest of the people of Nova Vaasa, this The battle between the Meistersinger and challengers night is usually considered a night for family to gathertakes place over several rounds. In the first round, the and talk of the past year, noting the lessons they havecompetitors enter the arena and all begin singing learned and the goals they have achieved. This is done toconcurrently. Each sings a different song, competing in humbly inform Bane of the many ways in which they haveboth volume and timbre for the audience’s attention. improved themselves, thereby increasing their station inContestants leave the arena (and the competition) if they life.find themselves unable to attract an audience among the This is also a favorite night for young men to proposechorus of voices, or if they find their voice incapable of to their potential future brides. It is said to guarantee thesinging for such an extended period of time (as this battle couple a long and fruitful marriage if the lady says yes onmay last for half an hour or more). Once the number of a night when no lies can be told.competitors has been reduced to a more manageablenumber, each competitor sings individually to the Noctis Lupusaudience. Based on the audience reaction, the current June or July, during full moonMeistersinger selects five challengers to continue into the Verbreksecond round. Noctis Lupus is a holy day devoted to the Wolf God. The The next component is a contest of rhetoric (although god embodies ferocity and fighting and the day’smany will claim that this is more about insults than witty activities follow similar lines. During the day, theretorts). Each of the five remaining contestants are asked werewolves who celebrate this occasion holdwhy they are fit to rule that village, as the others interject competitions with each other. Each pack will hold itswith quips and jests. At the end of the round, the own celebrations, although sometimes more than oneMeistersinger asks the audience for applause for each of pack may get together for the nighttime revelries. Thethe contestants, and judges the most popular. competitions during the day include various forms of The third round is a one-on-one challenge between fighting between the werewolves, and occasional fightthe sitting Meistersinger and the winner of the second with captured humans. One favorite sport played on thisround. Each sings a mora for the crowd, most frequently holy day involves splitting the pack up into four teams.a traditional song that the audience knows. The audience Four goals are set up on a field, one facing each of thethen selects the winner, usually chanting the name of the compass points. A skull of one of their brethren is usedbard they wish to rule as Meistersinger for the coming to represent their god. The team to get the skull betweenyear. It is a rare occurrence for a Meistersinger to be their goal is honored or blessed by the god.ousted in one of these contests, with most retaining the As night falls, the werewolves gather around a siteposition for many years. chosen and prepared earlier. A huge bonfire is (See the novel Heart of Midnight for additional constructed, and nearby trees are decorated with runesdetails.) and pictographs. Some of these are prayers to the Wolf God, while others depict the life of the werewolves.Night of Bright Truths There is always one tree chosen as the totem (sacredJune, first full moon pillar) for the night which is decorated from top to bottomNova Vaasa with furs, feathers and skins. The werewolves of the packThe Night of Bright Truths is the evening on which Nova socialize until a few hours before midnight, when theVaasans believe the moon to be the brightest of the entire music is commenced. Harsh drumbeats are ferventlyyear. This is a night when Bane is closely watching those played by some of the werewolves. The werewolves use

36 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTpeculiar instruments, including dead trees which have For the duration of the celebration the men representbeen hollowed out and turned into some sort of drum. the time of winter and the women are a representation ofThe werewolves start dancing around the fire, chanting, the summer season. Near twilight, people gather in ascreaming, roaring, and howling at the moon. As forest meadow away from the village and begin themidnight passes, an elder or dominant werewolf will celebration with a traditional dance, which represents themake a sacrifice of a small animal (but it may be summer conquering the winter. Many feel this traditionalsomething larger, such as a stag or human). The dance must be done or the summer will no longerdominant werewolf will do this by ripping out the throat continue and winter will arrive abruptly. Others believeof the sacrifice, and filling a sacred bowl with the victim’s in this to a lesser degree, believing that there will be anblood. The bowl is blessed by one of the priests, and then early winter if the dance is not performed.passed around for each to drink from. In the surrounding domains this holiday has spread Another special event this night is the Moon Dance. to, the superstitious elements have been lost (though theThe dance is an offering of body and soul to their god, dance is still performed), and it has become more of awho is symbolized by the moon. Five werewolves are midsummer’s festival during which masks are worn. Inchosen to perform the Moon Dance. This bloody ritual is these other domains the masks can range from elaborateconducted by taken long strips of leather, and placing feathered monstrosities in Dementlieu to painted woodenthem through gashes under the skin of the nominated masks in Falkovnia.dancers. The other end of the leather strap is tied looselyaround the totem pole, allowing the dancer to move easily Singing Tree Dayaround the tree. The werewolves then dance around and July 12around the totem until they are disconnected from the Kartakass, Sithicuspole by the leather or (worse) their flesh tearing, or until On this day, many people from Skald, Harmonia, andthey collapse from exhaustion. On rare occasions, they other communities travel to a massive and ancient hollowmay reach sunrise. oak tree that stands in the woods west of Skald. All of the While the dance continues, the rest of the pilgrims first gather outside Skald where, with the aid ofwerewolves will watch or celebrate by indulging their some volunteers, the two meistersingers give to all thepassions for blood and violence. This may include killing new participants a flask of meekulbrau and a scrollor hunting other smaller animals, and sometimes an containing a mora. People who have taken part in aunlucky human captive will be their plaything for the previous Singing Tree Day keep their empty flasks, fillingevening. them from a barrel provided by the Meistersinger of Alfred Timothy and his family will always lead the Skald, and their scroll. At midday, they form arites and celebrations for their own pack. Typically, procession to the main square of the Skald and then, afterTimothy will use the area of the Circle for their an opening song (sung by everyone) they depart, guidedcelebrations. by the meistersingers of Skald and Harmonia (dressed in green and brown). During the subsequent 3-hour marchJuly all chant some suitable mora. As they enter the glade in which the tree stands, Skald’s Meistersinger calls up theSummer’s Night god of music, Milil, and all the spirits of the forest toJuly 10 bless the gathering. At the same time, Harmonia’sLamordia, Dementlieu, Falkovnia, Mordent Meistersinger plants a sapling of meekulbern, praying thatThis holiday, which started in Lamordia, has spread it enriches the earth as music enriches mortal life.slowly to its bordering domains. This holiday started in Everyone then drinks from his or her flask, and camps inLamordia as a celebration of the warmest day of summer, the glade.and is said to keep winter’s grasp away for a longer time. Around 4 PM a traditional singing contest begins.People in Lamordia celebrate this holiday by shedding Every singer sings the mora on his or her scroll, and thetheir bland and dark garments and wearing light and crowd elects a winner and five runners-up. A small piecebright colored clothing, as well as having a festival of bark from the sacred tree is given to each runner-up.dedicated to the time of summer (and to a lesser degree Usually, they fix it to a string, making a pendant that issurviving the harsh Lamordian blizzard that is winter). rumored to empower mora related to the forest. TheBefore the festival, women go out during the day and winner, in addition, receives three leaves from the treecollect bright flowers with which to weave a mask. They and is expected to enter the tree’s hollow. There, theignore white flowers and darker blooms, preferring bright winner improvises a mora. A popular belief holds that, ifcolors to match their clothes. The men also gather correctly interpreted, the song will give hints on theflowers and form crowns from them, however their colors bounty of the weather and the crops of the next year,are limited to whites and dark hues.

37BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTsince it is reputed to be inspired by the tree, a spirit of the reason for this is unknown, but it is a ritual that has beenland. Attending scholars are charged with the task of performed for almost 200 years, and the inhabitants ofwriting the song down. Finally, the two Meistersingers Mordentshire are not about to break tradition now.read the text of the mora, and break up the gathering. After the very best are given back to the sea, theWerebeasts often hide among the crowd to feed on people of town feast on fish and vegetables, and a type ofloiterers. alcohol flavored with boiled seaweed. The feast is held A similar occurrence, called “Prophecy Day”, takes on the docks, and small candles held in paper globesplace in Sithicus. Two elven burgomasters lead the illuminate the festivities.procession to the Prophet Tree, offering cider to all theparticipants. After ceremonies similar to the Kartakan Bleak Morning (II)ones, they ask the participants for a volunteer. This August 14volunteer will be chained to the Prophet Tree, charged to Falkovniasing its vaticination. If the next year will be bountiful and See Bleak Morning (I), April 21.prosperous the elf will intone a neat sweet melody.Otherwise the song that is sung will be a mournful dirge,similar to the one previously used by Lord Soth to close Bleak Morning (III)the borders of Sithicus. Since the singer cannot stop his August 26voice while he’s singing, if the song is of the latter type Falkovniathe singer may go mad. Thus, while it is risky to chain See Bleak Morning (I), April 21.someone to the tree, it is the only way to for theburgomaster to ensure a prediction. Regardless of the Septemberoutcome of the prediction, the volunteer is regarded as ahero by all. Bleak Morning (IV) September 1Flaming Horse Festival Falkovnia See Bleak Morning (I), April 21.July 27HazlanThis is the only major festivity permitted in Hazlan, and Cloudberry Harvestis a result of Hazlik’s life in his homeland of Thay, where Septemberthe fire god Kossuth is worshipped. In the lead-up to this Tepestday, a wooden horse is built in every town by skilled Cloudberries are a type of fruit gathered by Tepestani tocraftsmen, with the finest wood available. Artificers make the sweet cloudberry wine. The natives have foundworks on these horses, placing iron cylinders throughout cloudberries almost impossible to farm, so the harvestthe wooden constructions containing pockets full of period involves excursions into the forests of Tepest toflammable oils. find the wild growths of the cloudberry bush. On the day of the celebration, endurance contests for Unfortunately, cloudberries are most often found inthe men and boys of the village are organized, and the remote locations, on steep hillsides near the lakes andcommunity eats meals together in the common-houses. rivers of the region. Even more unfortunately, the end ofAt night, the artificers set alight the cylinders placed fall marks the peak of goblin raids and attacks as theywithin the wooden horses, giving the impression that the attempt to store food for the coming winter, so there ismane, the tail and the hooves of the horse are burning. much danger for the harvesters. As a result, theEventually, the entire horse is in flames, forming a large harvesters always work in groups during the day, usuallybonfire around which celebrations continue into the night. with one of the stronger men of the village to guard. It is a rare year, however, when someone is not lost to theAugust troublesome goblins. The completion of the harvest is marked by a day-Good Trollings Day long festival in the village, celebrating not only theAugust 1 harvest end, but the last great gathering before winter setsMordent in. The day is spend tying bright ribbons around theGood Trollings Day (referring to its use in fishing, not in village, and beginning the crush of the harvest ofthe monster) is a time of celebration in Mordentshire. For cloudberries.a period of two weeks, the very best fish that are pulled After the day’s joviality, the town gathers in theout of the Sea of Sorrows are saved in tanks, and on evening for a slightly more serious affair. In front of aAugust 1st, they are thrown back into the sea. The exact large fire, a captured goblin is sacrificed by one of the

38 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTharvesters. This is both a sacrifice to the gods to ensure a The date falls on the birthday of the head ofgood harvest next year, and a memorial to those who lost Richemulot’s Dance Academy, Hellene Kougler, whotheir lives during this year’s harvest. Often, the person founded the tradition. She introduced the celebration tochosen to make the sacrifice is one who was close to a Invidia shortly after Bakholis’ death (730), where thevictim of the harvest goblin attacks. event caught on with a passion. After the last screams of the goblin have ceased, the Hellene, however, was not the true founder of thistownspeople eat together, and drink the first bottles of last day. She first observed the event when accompanying ayear’s cloudberry wine. It is said that if the previous group of Vistani. Once she had recorded what she saw,year’s harvest produces a high-quality wine, the coming she brought it back to Richemulot, where she introducedwinter will be milder and easier to bear. Many have the concept to the aristocracy of that domain. The Vistaninoted that a good wine can warm many cold winter’s celebrate this day in a similar fashion, and withnights, so there is probably a lot of truth to this belief! exceptional intensity. The Vistani sometimes become so involved with their dancing that they dance themselvesSummer’s End into hallucination, or until they collapse.September 1-7Barovia White DayFor one week, the buildings of the Village of Barovia are September 23decorated with red, orange, and yellow streamers, Dementlieu, Richemulot, Mordent, Necropolissignifying the colors of autumn and the ending of another White Day is the counterpart to Rose Day (see March 9).summer. On the final day, there is a large feast where On White Day, it is young ladies who are to presenteveryone gathers in the town square, where tables are set young men with gifts. As with Rose Day, it is consideredup and everyone eats together. The festival is held in late unlucky for a woman not to give a gift, or for a youngsummer/early fall, when there is still plenty of light. man not to receive one. As before, it is believed to beEveryone is still inside before dark (not even this yearly unlucky for a man to give a woman a gift of White Day.celebration can keep the villagers in Barovia out past A box of white candies is considered an especially luckydusk), but many households join together to continue the gift. Further, on White Day, it is traditional to decoraterevelries inside. the door and window-frames of one’s home with white streamers. As with Rose Day, many communities holdDancio evening dances to celebrate this holiday. White Day isSeptember 14 particularly popular in Dementlieu, where the Masque deInvidia, Richemulot Couer, a prominent yearly masquerade, is held.This day is devoted to the art of dancing with context toromance and passion. Typically it is celebrated mainlyamong the upper classes, but other citizens also enjoy thisday in a different style. Large social functions, such asballs, are held inviting an array of local people and others Harvest Festivalfrom surrounding domains. The festivities start early in Late September/Octoberthe morning and continue well into the night. The balls Karina, Invidiaare elegant and regal affairs, with awards given for best Invidia has increasingly become known for its fine qualitycouple, best dressed, and other categories. The host is wine and other exotic drinks. As the popularity of itsexpected to provide the prizes for those honored with produce has grown, so has the size of the annual Karinaawards. All guests are expected to participate in the Harvest Festival. Taking place over the week before thedancing, which includes waltzes and other formal first full moon in October, the population of Karina moreballroom styles. The host will sometimes have a theme than doubles for the duration of the event.for the gathering, such as Masquerade or Fairy Tale. The Festival is a grand event, which encompasses Among the poorer classes, other forms of celebration most of East Karina. Essentially, the week is spenttake place. The taverns throughout these domains drinking and celebrating the end of the Invidian harvest,prepare feasts of food and wine and serve on the street, while partaking in the vast array of alcoholic beverageswhere dancers perform around blazing fires. Unlike the the region produces. As the city is usually overflowingrefined steps among the aristocracy, the dances performed during the occasion, the celebrations are literally heldhere are generally rowdy, taking a more energetic form. anywhere, spilling out onto the streets from wine gardens,The atmosphere is friendlier than at the formal affairs, or at temporary marquees where winegrowers try toand the celebrations usually continue into the night, until convince drinkers of the superiority of their drink.the alcohol disappears.

39BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT Several events are held during the Festival. On the the night as an excuse for hooliganism, and a chance tothird day, a wine-tasting contest is held, with the most get free dinners.respected vintners of the area judging the winner invarious categories. The winners invariably run out of Bleak Morning (V)produce by the end of the Festival four days later. October 6Weddings are often scheduled during the Festival, and Falkovniawhen this occurs it is usually permissible for any onlooker See Bleak Morning (I), April 21.to join the celebrations. In some of the seedier locationsof Karina, drinking contests are held among rowdygroups of inebriated men. November The vilest event on the carnival’s calendar is the Festival of the Deadannual Dog Fights, organized by Nathan Timothy (and November 12some of his associates). Held somewhere in the NecropolisFalkovnian quarter, the location of the fights is always a In the time before Azalin used his doomsday device andclosely kept secret, and is attended largely by a contingent devastated the land, the residents of Darkon spent muchof werewolves from the nearby Verbrek. The event time honoring the dead, due to their belief that they wouldinvolves the pitting of defenseless humans against trained one day rise up and reclaim the land for their own. Sinceattack dogs, the audience watching with sickening Darkon’s transformation into Necropolis, the nature ofexcitement at the battle. much of the honoring has changed somewhat, due to the (For additional information on the Harvest Festival belief that the Ascension has already begun.and the Dog Fights, see The Evil Eye.) Originally a celebration initiated by the Eternal Order, this festival was designed to give thanks to theOctober dead for both the protection they offered the people ofNocturne Darkon (as evidenced by the dead rising against Falkovnian attacks), and for not yet reclaiming the land ofOctober, first new moon the living for their own. The day was spent in a largeMordent town gathering, where residents would wear grotesqueOn this night, the Mordentish believe that the borders masks to represent the dead, and would celebrate withbetween the living world and the Other Side weaken, music, drink and revelry for many hours. Theallowing the spirits of the dead to enter this world and celebrations had to end by sundown, however, so thatreturn to their mortal homes. The way in which this night none of the living walked the streets after nightfall. Theis marked varies significantly, depending on the desires of Eternal Order preached that since the living and the deadthe residents of each home. could not celebrate together in one place, the living would Those who want the departed to return their homes celebrate during the daylight hours, while the dead would(such as households who have lost a dear family member) consume the night with their own celebrations. Paintingsplace a lit lantern in their window and leave the door on the walls of temples of the Eternal Order sometimesunlocked. Any mortal who enters their home should be depict this event, with fetid corpses wearing humanwelcomed with a cooked meal, as the dead return home in masks, and celebrating with torture and death.the “borrowed” bodies of the living. The guest is treated The events of the Grim Harvest, however, havewith the same respect they would give the person whose changed the way this holiday is celebrated. As thememory they are honoring. Eternal Order slowly loses its power without the force of Others not wishing to admit the spirits of the dead King Azalin to support it, the people are slowly beginning(for whatever reason) hang a lantern from the front door, to disregard the original premise of the holiday. Thewith a metal sleeve that only allows light to filter through people are beginning to celebrate into the night, ignoringa leering Jack-o-Lantern face. This is said to scare off the the original reason for remaining indoors at that time.spirits who may be returning to the house. This effect is less notable the closer one gets to the Scholars have noted that there are no records of this Falkovnian border. There, where the dead have risen yetcustom until late in the 500s (by the Barovian calendar), again to defend the lands since the Grim Harvest, respectthough none are sure why the tradition suddenly emerged for the dead has continued almost unabated, so in townsat that time. The tradition appears to be losing like Nartok the holiday has been virtually unaffected.popularity, possibly due to the growing relationship withthe more cultural and less superstitious domain ofDementlieu. A more likely reason, however, is the Primeurgrowing number of younger people in Mordent treating November, 3rd Thursday Dementlieu, Richemulot

40 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTPrimeur is the first day when the wine of the past year is and his Talons have chosen a specific day toready to drink. A holiday more for nobility, each noble commemorate his birth.attempts to be the first to offer his friends the newest This day was orchestrated some years ago by thewine. As part of the tradition, there is a race of wagons head of the Talons, in order to serve as a monument to thefrom the nearby wine farms to the noble estates, each greatness of their ruler. Though the folk of the land aredriver trying to get an advantage over his rivals by any loathe to celebrate such an event as Drakov’s birthday,means. Often terrible accidents happen during this race they are forced to go along with the celebrations by theand the precious liquid is spilled, but such setbacks are Talons.nothing compared to the social gain of being this year’s Across all of Falkovnia, this day is a holiday. PeoplePrimeur King or Queen. shut their shops down so that they can watch or join the parade devoted to Drakov. No one has to work this day.December Some places are forced to shut down by the Talons in order to watch one of the parades.Night of Dark Deeds For Drakov, the day begins at his castle, Draccipetri.December, first new moon Supplicants seeking for a favor from Drakov, or lookingNova Vaasa to increase boost their image in his eyes, gather and waitFor Nova Vaasans, this day is the exact opposite of the to speak with him. These people generally come withNight of Bright Truths (see June). On this evening, Bane gifts, which may include gold, information or evenis the most distant he will be all year. Interestingly, this women. A limited number of these people get to speakhas remarkably different effects on different sections of with Drakov for a short time. Drakov listens, and if he isthe community. not pleased with what he hears then the gift-bearer may In general, people consider it unwise to believe end up as part of the night’s entertainment. Later in theanyone on this night. Business people will refuse to make morning, Drakov performs a symbolic branding of severaldecisions, no one will ask for advice, and any rumors children that have been born since the last Census.spread will be dismissed as nothing but rabble-rousing. Privileged families will often actively seek to have theirThe council of nobles does not meet during the week child branded personally by Drakov.either side of the Night of Dark Deeds, for fear of the A little after midday, parades are conducted all overnight’s lies tainting their acumen. No one is ever asked to Falkovnia, usually marching through the main road ofmake a vow or a promise on this day, as it is taken to each town or city. The parades are generally a solemn,mean nothing without the eyes of Bane watching over the dismal affair, as the people are forced to attend by thepledge. Families will often gather together in their homes Talons of every village and town in Falkovnia. Bannerson this night, as on the Night of Bright Truths, but instead are flown, crude floats are made, and fake battles arethey choose to remain silent, preferring the solemn quiet conducted using wooden weaponry. The Talons watchto the possibility of lies being uttered to family members. over the parade, being careful to look for anyone making While some fear this time of year, and the untruths it a mockery of their ruler. In Lekar, Drakov himself joinsbrings, others revel in the absence of the watchful eye of the parade as it nears its end, and those that make anBane. During the night, taverns and gambling houses are effort in the parades are sometimes rewarded handsomelyfilled with people wishing to take advantage of the later by the Hawk himself.situation. Houses of ill repute often serve unexpected As the celebrations in the towns die down, a specialclientele, and the streets become fighting grounds for evening is prepared for Drakov. As many as forty peoplethose who have repressed their anger in the face of Bane, are impaled on tall, thick stakes within the walls ofbut are all too eager to take action on this night. Draccipetri, and on this night he calls in a small chamber Unsurprisingly, the crime rate soars in the cities of orchestra to accompany their screams. If Vlad does notNova Vaasa on the Night of Dark Deeds. It would seem particularly enjoy the evening, it is possible that the actualthat for some, the pleasure of indulging their vices orchestra may become part of the bloody entertainment.extends much further than drinking and gambling, as thenumber of murders on this night usually exceeds the Winter’s Moonnumber in any other month of the year. December (last full moon) MarkoviaDay of the Hawk The inhabitants of Markovia know pain, perhaps betterDecember 20 than any others. The creatures that Lord Markov hasFalkovnia created wander the domain, existing in squalor and oftenThough Vlad’s real birthday was lost forever in the agony. They do, however, have their moments ofjourney from Krynn to Ravenloft, the ruler of Falkovnia contentment and happiness, and one of those moments is

41BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTduring Winter’s Moon, a festival held on the last full Feast of the First Epiphany Fireworks New Year Feastmoon of the year. At sundown, groups of Markovians Nocturne Flaming Horse Festivalgather together around a large bonfire and cry towards the Christopher D. Nichols Lucine Carnivalheavens, showing that they are strong. After a half-hour Rose Day Singing Tree Dayof crying to the sky, they feast on the woodland creatures White Day “Ryan”they have hunted and dance around the fire. Many Quentin Small Summer’s Nightcompete in feats of strength and endurance. The Spring Mourning Trevor Sallacelebration lasts well into the morning, by which time Scott Stoecker The Day of Unspoken Good Trolling’s Day Talents (Contest Winner)most participants have collapsed from the exhaustion of (Contest Runner-Up) “Strahd4037”the celebration. To outsiders, the celebration would seem Summer’s End Remembrancestrange, primitive, and brutal, but to the Markovians, it is Winter’s Moon Stuart Turnera wonderful night. Pierre van Rooden Day of Silent Hope Bleak Morning Scott VandervalkDarkest Night Ian Zammit DancioDecember, Winter Solstice Census Day of the HawkNecropolis (Contest Runner-Up) Noctis LupusLike the Festival of the Dead, this occasion is a result of Canon Holidaysthe legends regarding the Hour of Ascension, where the (Compiled by Stuart Turner) Cloudberry Harvestdead rise up to reclaim the land. Unlike the Festival of Darkest Nightthe Dead, this day is marked by fear rather than Festival of the Deadcelebration. Harvest Festival On Darkest Night, the moon does not rise over Meistersinger ContestNecropolis. It is said that on this night, the dead are Night of Bright Truthscloser to the land of the living than at any other time of Night of Dark Deedsthe year. The Eternal Order preaches that if the dead Nhave not been properly honored over the past year, this isthe most likely time at which they will reclaim the landfrom the living. In order to avoid attracting the attentionof the dead, on this night all lights across Necropolis mustbe extinguished. Not one candle may burn during thenight, lest the dead use it to lead them to the living world. Since the Requiem in 750, this day has become evenmore feared by the people of Necropolis. Despite thedeclining power of the Church of the Eternal Order, thisnight continues to be commemorated with great fervor, asit is the anniversary of the wave of energy that destroyedIl Aluk. Many residents see this event as the Hour ofAscension itself, and that it was just the start of the dead’sreclamation of their lands. As such, the years since haveseen even greater adherence to the tradition, with manyhouseholds even covering reflective surfaces to avoidreflecting the dim starlight of the night. Those who lostfriends or family in the destruction of Il Aluk also use thisnight to sit in silent remembrance of their lives. (For additional information on Darkest Night, see theRequiem: The Grim Harvest boxed set.)

H ere are some items to throw in the way of shoulder, 9’ long); ML Elite (14); Int average (8-10); AL the player characters as they travel from CE; XP 975. one place to another, between adventures. I hope you enjoy/find a use for them. Let me know! Remember, there are no Abandoned and Ransacked random encounters in Ravenloft. Isuggest reading them, picking the ones that you think will Bandit Campbe of most capable of sparking roleplaying within your The party comes upon a small campsite. It has recentlyparty of player characters. (Although, frankly, they also been abandoned and a search reveals that it was mostwork just fine as hack ‘n’ slash if that’s the group’s cup of likely attacked; blood spatters can be seen on thebloodwine.) belongings that have been left behind. The firepit No levels are given, but in general the encounters contains cold (1-4 on a d6) or lukewarm ashes (5-6). Thehave been run with parties ranging in levels from 5-10. party cannot determine who attacked the party or howThey were used in a personal campaign of mine that was large the group was because the ground is either too hardset in the Southern Core, but they should be easily or too thoroughly trampled.adaptable to any domain or campaign setting. Searching the camp reveals mostly ruined equipment and spoiled rations, but one of the following items of

DAYTIME ENCOUNTERS value is also found (determined by a roll on a d6): 1. 2d4 copper pieces. 2. 3d6 silver pieces. 3. A potion of healing. 4. A scroll of protection from evil. 4. 1d4 gems 2d10 Result of random value. 5. A map of Hazlan. 6. A scroll with 2 Leucrotta 1d4 random wizard spells on it. 3-4 Abandoned and Ransacked Bandit Camp If a wider search of the area is conducted, the party 5-7 Wolfweres finds 1d3+1 corpses in a ravine, a few hundred yards 8-10 Disguised Order of Guardians Members from the camp. The bodies have already been looted for 11-13 Bandits valuables. The victims were bandits from the camp and 14-16 Shepherds and Livestock are dressed in ragged clothing. They were killed in one 17-18 Overseers and Peasants the following fashions (roll d6): 1. Bitten and trampled to 19-20 Travelers death (by the leucrotta), 2-3. Butchered by some savage beasts with large claws (either wolfweres or werewolves),Leucrotta 4-6. Killed with swords.There are 1d4 of these foul beasts lurking in a ravinesome distance from the road, well out of sight. They use Wolfwerestheir mimicry ability to lure the party closer and then leap The party encounters 1d4 wolfweres. They are posing asout to attack. The party can search for their lair, but it lost travelers and ask to join the party. If allowed totakes 1d6 hours to locate it even with experienced travel with the group, they wait until nightfall, use theirtrackers; the creatures’ treasure is in the lair, and there is

43BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTlethargy ability and attempt to slay one party member and against the party if they are attacked first. The Guardiansthen flee. If overwhelmed by player characters, or in will first attempt to subdue the party, with the leadersome other form of danger, they beg for their lives, attempting use hold spells to do so. Failing this, they willoffering the party the treasure they are carrying (which attempt to withdraw. If the party does not allow theirshould be randomly generated by the Dungeon Master, retreat, they fight to the death. If any Guardians escape,with the addition of a pipes of sewers). These wolfweres they report the attack to other monks. From that pointare young and have left their home in neighboring forward, any Guardians encountered in the region willKartakass on a dare. They promise not to attack other have as many hold person spells memorized as they can.travelers if their lives are spared. They will immediately attempt to capture the party. If the party kills the wolfweres and this encounter is Each group of Guardians encountered includes atgenerated again, there are 1d4+4 wolfweres who are bent least one 5th-level cleric, who acts as the leader of theon revenge for the killing of their friends. If the party group. All others are 1st-level clerics.spares the wolfweres and encounters the creatures again,the wolfweres beg for their protection; they are being Order of the Guardian senior monk, male human, C5:stalked by two werewolves who are intent on killing AC 5 (chain mail); MV 12; HD 5; hp 42; THAC0 18;them. If the party protects the wolfweres, they are #AT 1; Dmg 1d6+1 (enchanted horseman’s mace); SArewarded by the creatures showing them a symbol that if spells; SD spells, turn undead, 25% magic resistance; SZdisplayed on their clothing will insure their safety from 5’11”; ML Elite (14); Str 12, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 14, Wiswolfwere attacks while the party is in the Ravenloft Core 17, and Cha 14; AL LG; XP 3,000.domains. (This symbol will protect the party from Special Equipment: Mace +1, holy symbolwolfweres 75% of the time, but only if they are civil to Spells Typically Memorized (6/5/2): 1st—bless,the creatures. Conversely, it causes werewolves to attack command, cure light wounds (x2) curse, invisibility to50% of the time. There is nothing magical about it, but undead; 2nd—hold person (x2), dust devil; 3rd— curerather it is a symbol that shows the party are under the disease, locate object.protection of powerful wolfweres from Kartakass.) Note: This character has the Order of the Guardian kit, described Whether the party resolves this encounter by killing in full in the Champions of the Mists accessory. The kit gives these characters a 5% magic resistance per level and grants them a 5%the wolfweres or showing them mercy, it should be chance per level to recognize famous artifacts on sight.awarded XPs as though the creatures were defeated. Order of the Guardian monks, male humans, C1Wolfweres (1d4): AC 3; MV 15; HD 5+1; hp 40; (1d6): AC 10 (no armor); MV 12; HD 1; hp 4;THAC0 15; #AT1 or 2; Dmg 2d6 or by weapon; SA THAC0 14; #AT 1; Dmg 1d6 (quarter staff); SA spells;singing brings on lethargy; SD iron or +1 or better SD spells, turn undead; SZ 5’-6’; ML Elite (14); Int 10;weapon to hit; MR 10%; SZ M (4’-7’); ML Elite (14); Int AL NG. XP 35high to exceptional (13-16); AL CE; XP 1,400. Special Equipment: holy symbol Spells Typically Memorized (roll 1d6 to select 1Disguised Order of the spell per monk at random): 1: bless, 2: cure light wounds, 3: curse, 4: command, 5: invisibility to undead,Guardian Members 6: lightThese characters are members of a secret society devoted Note: These men are rank-and-file members of the Order who do not use the Order of the Guardian kit and therefore do not gain itsto the gathering of powerful magical items and artifacts benefits.that might be used for evil. One or more of the magicitems owned by the party may be among those theGuardians seek. Bandits The Guardians ask to join the party as they travel These cutthroats are comprised of a mix of the Core’salong the road. “Safety in numbers,” they say. They take outcasts, having fled their homelands for reasons that arestock of the party if they are allowed to join them. often known only to them. They are united in their lust Once they determine the party is carrying an item for mayhem and the robbing of innocent travelers,they want, their leader reveals their true nature and asks however.that the party travel with them to the nearest stronghold of Each bandit group has a preferred set of tactics—the Order. They know as much information about the some may just rush travelers while others may attempt toRavenloft domains as the Dungeon Master wishes to set traps or stage clever ambushes. The Dungeon Masterimpart. is encouraged to differentiate between these bands of If the party refuses to go with the Guardians, they marauders should the party encounter more than one, andmonks depart peacefully. They only engage in combat possibly even give some personality to one or more of

44 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTmembers. (Of course, it is also possible that the party The workers do not approach the party and they seemmeets the same group more than once. For example, very apprehensive if any of the party members approachrather than killing a group of bandits, the party may them. They anxiously direct the heroes to their nearbyinstead intimidate them into fleeing. In such a case, the overseers. The workers only speak the native language ofbandits will either flee once they recognize the party, or the domain.they may have changed their tactics and be laying in The Dungeon Master should roll a d6 to determineambush. There are no limits to what the Dungeon Master what the overseer is doing when the party arrives: 1-2.can do with this encounter.) Lounging in the shade; 3. Sleeping in the shade; 4. All bandit groups are led by a 3rd-level fighter while Inspecting a broken tool in the field as other workersthe rest of the group are 1st-level. Most groups are stand by idly; 5. Whipping a lazy worker; 6. Lounging thehuman, but the Dungeon Master can include demihumans shade with a sweetheart.in the mix if he or she chooses. The overseers are friendly and helpful, so long as the party doesn’t interfere with the workers. They angrilyBandit Leader, human male or female, F3: AC 8 challenge the party over any interference and order one of(leather armor); MV 12; HD 3; hp 13; THAC0 18; #AT1; the workers to fetch some law enforcers if the partyDmg 1d8 (long sword); SZ M (5’-6’); ML Elite (14); Int doesn’t stop their distractions. (Whatever militia orhigh (13); AL NE; XP 120. police force that exists in the domain attempts to take the party into custody 2d4 hours later, assuming the workerBandits, human males and females, F1 (1d10+3): gets away.) All the overseers speak a broken version of aAC 10 (no armor); MV 12; HD 1; hp 4; THAC0 20; language known to the heroes. They can impart whatever#AT1; Dmg 1d6 (short swords or clubs); SZ M (5’-6’); information the Dungeon Master wants the party to knowML average (8-10); Int average (8-10); AL NE; XP 15. about the local region. The workers are all 0-level NPCs with 1d4 hit pointsShepherds and Livestock each. The overseers are 1st-level fighters with statistics that conform to those of Hazlan’s enforcers. 80% of bothThese 0-level NPCs are either young boys (1-4 on a d6) workers and overseers are male.or young girls (5-6) either tending livestock in a field orleading it down the road. They are also accompanied by Enforcers, human males and females (Mulan andtwo herd dogs—German Shepherd-like animals. If they Rashemi), F1, (2d20): AC 7 (studded leather); MV 12;are moving along the road, they are on their way to the HD 1; hp 9; THAC0 20; #AT 1; Dmg 1d6 (short sword)nearest settlement. There is only a 10% chance that any or 1d2 (whip); SZ 5’ to 6’ 1”; ML steady (11-13); Intof the youngsters speak a broken dialect of a language average (8-10); AL any N or E; XP 15.known to the party. Even so, they are more curious aboutthan apprehensive of the player character party. If theyare traveling along the road, they invite the party to travel Travelerswith them, taking them to the nearest settlement (which is There are a variety of other travelers that may betheir destination). encountered on the road. They are mostly 0-level, If the party menaces the shepherds or the livestock, although some may be more interesting in nature. Thethe dogs move to defend them. The shepherds each have Dungeon Master should roll 1d6 to determine exactly2 hit points. The Dungeon Master should pick whatever who (or what) the party meets.livestock seems appropriate. 1-2. A caravan of wealthy merchants and their servants traveling the opposite direction of the party. TheHerd dogs (2): AC 7; MV 15; HD 2+1; hp 10; merchants know a language spoken by the heroes andTHAC0 19; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4 (bite); SZ M (5’ long); ML they can share whatever information the Dungeon Masteraverage (8-10); Int semi- (3); AL NE; XP 65. wishes to impart. They are heading to the nearest city and invite the party to travel with them.Overseers and Peasants 3-4. A group of 1d4+2 paka (RAVENLOFT Monstrous Compendium III) ask to join the party (“Safety inThere are 4d10+10 peasants tilling fields, repairing numbers. . .). They attempt to rob the party that night,buildings or roads, or engaged in some other form of although they do not try to kill them. If shown mercy, thelabor. There is enough interest in whatever their task is paka spread the word to others of their kind that the partyon the part of the local lord that he or she has assigned are not as evil as other humans. Future encounters theoverseers to see that the task is done properly and in a party has with paka will be more friendly, and perhaps thetimely fashion. There is one overseer present for every paka might even attempt to recruit the party to help with a10 workers. problem they are faced by.

45BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFT 5. A traveling entertainer in a brightly painted wagon their deaths if necessary. (If the werewolves are allowedis heading for the same destination as the party. He or to flee, they ambush the party at some later time.)she can provide information about Hazlan, as well as any Note: DMs with access to the Children of the Night:other domain in the Core that the Dungeon Master wishes Werebeasts AD&D adventure anthology may wish tothe party to have information about. (The Dungeon replace this encounter with the mini-adventure featuringMaster can turn to Children of the Night: Werebeasts for Mother Fury and her lycanthropic followers. Thean excellent NPC who can fill this role—the cursed adventure might cause the party to stray from the currentProfessor Arcanus. The included scenario can also be plotlines of the DM’s campaign, however.used, as the Professor invites the party to attend his showonce he has set up at his destination.) Lycanthropes: Werewolves (1d4+2): AC 4; MV 18; HD 6. The travelers are wolfweres moving about in their 4+1; hp 25; THAC0 15; #AT1; Dmg 1d8 (long swords,humanoid form. If the party already encountered the human form) 2d4 (claws or bite attack, hybrid form); SAwolfweres above but didn’t kill them, the creatures might surprise; SD hit only by silver or +1 or better magicalnow be on the run from werewolf stalkers. If the party weapon; SZ M (5’11”-6’); ML Steady (12); Int averageslew the previous wolfweres, these creatures are looking (8-10); AL CE; XP 420.for revenge. There are 1d4+3 wolfweres in this group. Note: In the Demiplane of Dread, there is a 2% chance per point of damage inflicted by a lycanthrope’s attack. The damage must be inflicted by the natural weapons of the lycanthrope; teeth, claws, or (in

NIGHTTIME ENCOUNTERS the human or demihuman aspect) unarmed attacks.

2d10 Result Wolves

2-3 Werewolves These animals appear on a nearby ridge and start howling 4-5 Wolves at the night sky. There are 2d4 of them. 6-8 Hag (Annis) If the party launches an attack on them, they will 9-11 Alon the Rashemi Vampire likely flee. However, there is a 20% chance that one of 12-13 Ariela the Mulan Vampire their number is actually a werewolf in his or her animal 14-15 Necromancers and Zombies form. If a werewolf is present, the pack does not flee but 16-17 Travelers instead responds to party hostility by merely appearing to 18-20 The Banshee and the Bandits flee. They stage an ambush somewhere nearby, attacking the party within 2d6 rounds following the initial contact.Werewolves Use the werewolf stats presented under the “Werewolves” encounter, above.These creatures are on the trail of a party of with whomthey have a rivalry. However, they are not above Wolves (2d6): AC 7; MV 18; HD 3; hp 10; THAC0 18;attacking other travelers they encounter. #AT 1; Dmg 1d4+1 (bite); SD +1 save vs. charm; SZ S When first met, the werewolves are in their human (3’-4’); ML average (10); Int low (5-7); AL N; XP 120.forms, appearing swarthy and dark-eyed. Their clothingis dusty and slightly ratty in appearance, lending them theappearance of individuals who been on the road for some Hag (Annis)time. They claim to be bounty hunters from Barovia, The heroes hear the sound of a woman crying out in pain.searching for a band of monstrous cutthroats; if the party If they go to investigate, they find a beautiful, rag-cladencountered the wolfweres, the description given by the young woman at the bottom of a 20’ deep pit; by allwerewolves matches them exactly. appearances, she has just fallen through the covering that If the party knows nothing about the wolfweres or hid it from sight. She claims her ankle is twisted and thatlies about having encountered them, there is a 65% she can’t stand. She weeps hysterically and begs thechance the werewolves continue on their way without heroes to help her.further harassing the party. The rest of the time, however, The maiden in distress is actually an annis who hasthe werewolves merely go out of sight, change into their changed self into a less monstrous form. She continues tohybrid forms and circle around to attack the party. play the helpless maiden (giving a sob story of a brutal, If the party is displaying the symbol given them by misshapen beastman husband that forces her to forage forthe wolfweres, there is an 85% chance that the food even after dark if she does not return with any) untilwerewolves attack as described above. If attacked by the she has been pulled out of the pit and the majority of theparty first, the werewolves attempt to retreat, intending to party is fussing over her. . . at which point she reverts toambush the party later. If the party pursues, however, her true form and focuses her round of attacks on anythey change to their hybrid forms and attack, fighting to obvious mages, or the most powerful-looking warrior.

46 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTThe annis fights to the death if necessary, although she Note: Alon has been a vampire for a little over a year, hence hewill attempt to cast fog cloud and flee the party should has not yet developed all the powers enjoyed by older vampires.they prove to be too powerful for her to defeat. Ariela the Mulan VampireHag (Annis): AC 4; MV 18; HD 7+7; hp 57; THAC0 10 This sparsely tattooed young Mulan woman is a vampire(includes +3 to-hit bonus for 18/00 Str); #AT3; Dmg who is a thrall of the Rashemi vampire detailed in the1d8+8/1d8+8 (claws)/2d4+1 (bite); SA surprise SD previous encounter. Named Ariela, she was once aedged weapons cause 1 point less damage against an wizard at Hazlik’s academy; she fell victim to Alon’sannis; SZ M (5’11”-6’); ML Champion (15); Int very (11- unholy hunger several months ago. She is disgusted by12); AL CE; XP 4,000 what she has become, but is even more tormented by her servitude to the crude and entirely inferior beast that isAlon the Rashemi Vampire Alon. Further, he is bent on humiliating her in everyAlon is a stocky, Rashemi male in tattered clothing whose conceivable way to prove to himself that he isn’t inferiorskin appears ashen gray. He is a hate-filled creature who to Mulans; rather, that the opposite is the case.delights in using his vampiric powers to terrorize and She approaches the party under the pretense of beingspread pain and suffering. Rashemi are a human subrace a traveler who was separated from her party during athat are oppressed by the Mulan minority in their bandit attack. As she interacts with the party, shehomeland of Hazlan. Although Alon accepted his place receives an Intelligence check. If the check fails, sheas a second-class citizen when he walked among the follows the command she was given by Alon—which wasliving, he has become obsessed with proving his to attack and destroy the first humans she encountered onsuperiority to all non-Rashemi Mulan. He delights in her wanderings that night.creating fledgling vampires and then sending them on If the check is successful, Ariela manages to shakeexcursions that are likely to get them destroyed or off Alon’s domination for a few moments. She revealsmaimed. He particularly delights in torturing any her true nature to the player characters and begs them totraveling Mulans he might encounter. destroy her before she can no longer resist her master’s When he has one or more vampire slaves, Alon voice. She asks, however, that they do her two favors.himself has merely harasses travelers. He does this by First, she begs that they kill her vampiric sire, asending waves of summoned animals at those who camp monster in the form of a man who first forced this terribleunder open sky at night. (There are a number of peasants state upon her and is now sending her into the countrysidein the region who are secretly Alon’s charmed human to murder innocent travelers, all to prove his superiorityservitors; they inform him of travelers along the road.) to her, being that he is a Rashemi and she is a Mulan. She Alon does not attack the party unless a single of its tells the party exactly where his lair is. (It is a nearbymembers can be caught alone. However, during the cave complex. It is guarded by traps, various lesserswarming of the animals, he can be heard laughing undead, and maybe a weak vampire or two.)maniacally somewhere in the distance. (Should he Second, Ariela asks the party to deliver a letter ofmanage to corner a solitary character, like a sentry or a apology to her master, Hazlik the Red Wizard. She giveshero out for a late night stroll, he proclaims his the party a letter written in Thayvian on crumpled,superiority before killing him or her. He also plays with bloodstained parchment. (It is just a brief letter,his victim, further underscoring his superiority in his expressing her sorrow for not being able to complete hermind. The truth, however, is that Alon is little more than magical training under his firm guidance, or even able toa cowardly bully. . . and a somewhat dimwitted one at complete the trip she took to gather rare spell componentsthat. He only speaks or understands Thayvian. for him. She also says how sorry she is that she has failed This encounter occurs only once per night. If it is him by not being able to fend off the fiend that turned hergenerated again, run the “Mulan Vampire” encounter into one of the undead.)below. Although Ariela wants to die, Alon’s control over herAlon, male fledgling vampire: AC 1; MV 12, fl in bat- reasserts itself as soon as she is attacked, which includes aform 18 (C), fl in gaseous form 9 (E); HD 8+3; hp 30; player character trying to drive a stake through her heart.THAC0 9 (adjusted for Str bonus); #AT 1; Dmg 1d6+4 She fights until she is reduced to gaseous form, at which(Str bonus); SA level drain, charm ability (-2 to saving point she flees back to her coffin in Alon’s lair. The partythrow to resist); SD +1 or better weapon to hit, can then put her to final rest.regenerates 3 hp/round, immune to sleep, charm, hold, Alon’s death can be as hard or as easy as thepoisons, paralysis, and cold- and electricity-based attacks; Dungeon Master chooses to make it.SZ M (5’7”); ML average (10); Int average (10); AL NE;XP 6,000.

47BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTAriela, female fledgling vampire: AC 1; MV 12, fl 18 approach them with the excuse that there is safety in(C) in bat-form, fl 9 (E) in gaseous form; HD 4+3; hp 30; numbers.) The Dungeon Master should roll 1d6 toTHAC0 13 (adjusted for Str bonus); #AT 1; Dmg 1d6+4 determine exactly who (or what) the party meets.(Str bonus); SA level drain, charm ability (-2 to saving 1-2. An enforcer and 15 prisoners. The prisoners arethrow to resist); SD +1 or better weapon to hit, all shackled together. The enforcer speaks only a fewregenerates 3 hp/round, immune to sleep, charm, hold, words of a language spoken by the party and is extremelypoisons, paralysis, and cold- and electricity-based attacks; paranoid. All the prisoners are 0-level Rashemi, and theSZ M (5’7”); ML Champion (16); Int exceptional (16); enforcer is a Mulan with standard enforcer statistics. (IfAL NE; XP 5,000. rolled more than once, treat as “no encounter.”) Spell in memory: magic missile 3-4. A Mulan female wizard and a Rashemi male Notes: Ariela has only been a vampire for a few weeks, hence she wizard are traveling to or from Ramulai in Hazlanhas not yet gained the full power of the standard version of these whichever direction that the party is heading in. They aremonsters. traveling in the same direction as the party. They are both 5th-level wizards who are interested in spells ofNecromancers and Zombies darkness, light, and shadow. They prefer to do all theirThese spellcasters are either from Hazlan (1-4) or from traveling at night.Darkon (5-6). If they are from Hazlan, they are all The pair is deeply devoted to each other, sharing aMulans. They are highly skilled necromancers and joined love for each other, the night, and the dark magical arts.by 2d10 zombies in servant garb. The zombies are well If the party threatens one, the other will come to his orpreserved and cared for, and the party may not recognize rescue. Similarly, if one should die at the hands of thethem as undead immediately. (The Dungeon Master can party, the other, if he or she survives, will devote theircall for Intelligence checks after a few minutes of every waking moment to gaining revenge. (The pair keepspeaking with the wizards.) A stench of decaying bodies their romance a secret because of Hazlan’s culturalhangs about the wizards and the zombies, however. mores.) The necromancers are friendly and outgoing and Although they have no interest in sharing the party’sinvite the party to share their camp. They have a high camp site, they are willing to allow the heroes to joinopinion of the political leader of the domain they hail them on their journey to Ramulai. They can tell the partyfrom, particularly if that leader is the domain lord. any information the Dungeon Master wishes to reveal If the party attacks these wizards, the zombies come about the domains of the southern Core, and they alwaysto their defense. One in three zombies is under the effect speak in the most glowing of terms about their leaders ofof an augment undead spell (as found in Domains of Hazlan and the people of their land.Dread.). 5. A group of Vistani (a mysterious gypsy-like people who wander throughout the Ravenloft domains)Necromancers, male and female humans, M5 (1d3): are camped by the road. They will happily share theirAC 6 (armor spell); MV 12; HD 3; hp 7; THAC0 20; camp with the party and are even willing to perform song#AT 1; Dmg 1d4 (dagger) or by spell; SA spells; SD and dances and other entertainments provided the party isspells; SZ 5’-6’1”; ML elite (14); Int 13; AL any E; XP willing to pay. They can also reveal anything the650. Dungeon Master wishes the party to know about the Special Equipment: 1d6 vials of different acids, 1d6 Domains of Dread.pouches of misc. powders (1d200 gp value). If the Dungeon Master wishes, one of the scenarios Spellbook (4/2/1): 1st— armor*, burning hands, from the AD&D adventure anthology Children of thechill touch, detect magic, detect undead, identify, jump*, Night: Vampires can replace this encounter. The tragiclight, magic missile, read magic, unseen servant*; 2nd— tale of Alexi, a vibrant Vistani boy turned into a vampireflaming sphere*, locate object, spectral hand, whispering might work nicely here. There is a risk that it mightwind*; 3rd—augment undead*. distract the characters from the overall thrust of the* Indicates memorized spells. campaign, but the Dungeon Master can add a** Indicates spell included in Domains of Dread. fortunetelling or other bit of character action that might help keep the focus. Also, the Dungeon Master mightTravelers consider replacing Runold in the adventure with Alon, a Rashemi vampire detailed in one of the other encountersThis group of travelers failed to reach their destination in this section. In such a case, the party would need tobefore nightfall. They are most likely camped by the side encounter Alon before they encounter Alexi.of road, although the Dungeon Master might choose tohave them still moving, if it seems appropriate. (For 6. The travelers are werewolves moving about inexample, if the heroes have camped, the NPCs may their humanoid form. These werewolves might be

48 BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTinterested just in having a bit of dinner, and the party again, if the party gives her the chance. If the partymight look tasty. persists in their attacks, the banshee goes wild and attacks them, weeping and crying that she doesn’t want to hurtThe Banshee and the Bandits them, but that the very beating of their hearts is tearing her to pieces.This encounter pits the party against one of the most If the party gives the banshee a moment, she gazes atvicious groups of bandits roaming the Barren Lands of the fallen bandits, a look of peace softening her features.northern Hazlan. It starts with the party hearing gruff “The hate inside me, the pain . . . it was too great,” shevoices laughing and whooping somewhere off in the says. “I had to make them pay for what they did to me . .barren hills. Moments later, a winsome elf lass appears at . the unspeakable things . . .” She grimaces and winces asthe top of a hill, bare-foot and dressed in tattered though feeling a sudden pain, and her focus returns to theclothing. She sways for a moment, then pitches forward party. “My killers have most of my belongings, but I hidand rolls down the hill toward the party. When the party my most valuable treasures just before they captured me.investigates, they find that she is bleeding from many Among the items I managed to hide is a steel rod shapeddeep stab wounds, has been beaten severely and seems to to look like intertwined branches. It is a powerful artifactbe having a hard time breathing. “Help me,” she moans. that can raise the dead. One of your slain companions“Don’t let them hurt me anymore.” can be brought back from the dead each day, but only if Before the party can take any other action—except they were men or women of good hearts. Quenesti Pahmaybe start an attempt to help the elf—a number of men will not give her power to recall evil beings from beyondappear on the ridge. The leader says he is Shayn the the Misty Veil.”Swift, and orders the party to get away from his “toy.” The elf introduces herself as Alrahannarasha (“butHe further adds that any elf wench in the Barrens is his to you can call me Hanna”). She promises to show thedo with as he pleases. If the party doesn’t comply, he and heroes where she hid the artifact if they make her twohis men attack them. promises. The heroes have one round to attempt to help the First, she wants them leave her body unburied,nameless elf while Shayn makes introductions. That, stating that she wishes all of Nature’s facets to take part inhowever, simply isn’t enough: She is dying both from her reclaiming it. Second, she wants them to leave a matchedwounds and from poison in her system, put there by set of bracelets that she hid along with the artifact withShayn’s dagger of venom. With a final gasp and a weak her body. “They were gifts from my husband and I wouldspasm, she dies. like them to remain with me. They are all I have to The party can fight Shayn and his men for two remember him by at this point. You can keep all the restrounds. Then a spectral, glowing form rises from the of my valuables . . . the beasts that killed me already havedead elf; it resembles her, except the form is clad in them.”glistening elven chain mail and carrying a long sword If the survivors agrees to the banshee’s terms, shewith elven runes carved into the blade. Her face is a takes them to a small pile of rocks about a mile fromgrimace of pain and ghostly tears stream from her eyes, where the combat occurred. Here, under a flat rock and awhich burn with intense hatred. “Foul beasts,” the spirit bit of dirt, is a matched set of delicate silver bracelets,hisses. along with the steel rod Hanna described. The bracelets The elf has risen as a banshee, her soul trapped in the are worth 160 gp each while the “artifact” is in fact ahatred she felt for her killers at her moment of death. The standard rod of resurrection with 24 charges. It willlow-level bandits immediately flee in terror while the bring any character back from the dead that a priest usingparty members and Shayn must roll fear checks. it chooses to resurrect as long as it has charges remaining.Regardless of how the rolls turn out, the banshee cries, (The party will not be able to recover these items without“You will never hurt anyone again!” And then she issues Hanna’s assistance.)a death wail. Upon recovering the treasures offered by Hanna, the If any bandits survive, she hunts them down and slays party will likely wish to search the slain bandits. Asidethem with her phantom sword. Shayn she leaves to the from their weapons and armor, each man carries 2d6 cpparty, but if they have not finished him by the time she and 1d6 sp.has killed all the surviving bandits, she attacks him as In addition, Shayn possesses a dagger of venom; awell. pouch with 4 pp, 6 gp, 9 sp, and 2 cp; and a small If the party attacks the banshee, she retreats from backpack containing a canteen of water, three days ofbattle. “I do not hold any ill will toward you,” she says, dried fruit rations, a finely crafted belt that fits the slenderremaining out of melee range. She apologizes if any waist of an elven woman with two sheathed daggers on itparty members fell to her death wail, but says that she (the daggers are non-magical, but the belt has an ornatecould not help it. She says that she can make things right silver buckle worth 35 gp), a ring that appears to be made

49BOOK OF SECRETS: RUNNING RAVENLOFTof freshly twisted twigs (a +1 ring of protection), a pouch Dungeon Masters should award XPs as if the partycontaining two 50 gp gems, 21 pp, 13 gp, 9 sp, and 11 cp, “defeats” Hanna if they resolve this confrontation throughand a sealed scroll case made from highly polished wood. roleplaying rather than combat. The award may be As the party searches the bandits, the banshee asks reduced if they decide to steal her bracelets or bury herone more favor of them. She asks that they deliver the body against her wishes.sealed wooden scroll case to Eleni of Toyalis. It is amessage from Lord Mayor Mason of Har-Thelen to the Banshee (“Hanna”): AC 0; MV 15; HD 7; hp 48;other ruler and it was the elf’s mission to deliver it. She THAC0 13; #AT1; Dmg 1d8 (spectral long sword orsays that she is certain Eleni will reward them if they touch); SA death wail; SD immune to sleep, charm, hold,complete her task. The elf does not know the nature of and cold- and electricity-based attacks; SW dispel evil:the message, only that it relates to Mason’s fear that a MR 50%; SZ M (5’); ML Fearless (19); Int exceptionalparticularly evil dwarf named Azrael might be plotting to (15); AL CE (with swiftly fading NG tendencies); XPmurder him. (If the heroes break the seal, the letter is 4,000.indeed a request from Mason for Eleni to convince Hazlik Note: Hanna is turned as a “special” undead. She takes 2d4to send him a bunch of wizards to serve as his points of damage if holy water is splashed upon her.bodyguards.) If the party does not wish to deliver themessage, the banshee does not take offense; she Shayn the Swift, half-elf male, F7: AC 1 (chain mailundertook the mission only to get out of Sithicus. and Dex bonus); MV 12; HD 5; hp 60; THAC0 14; Once the party’s search is of the bodies is complete, #AT2; Dmg 1d8 (sabre) and 1d4+poison; SA poison; SDHanna suddenly trembles and moans in pain. She looks 30% resistance to sleep and charm spells; SZ M (5’-6’);at the heroes with a confused expression. “I thought it ML Elite (14); Int high (13); AL CE; XP 1,400.was just the presence of those vile men that was causing Special Equipment: Dagger of venom with 2me pain,” she muses. “But you, who are not evil, are charges left. Note: Shayn uses a two-handed fighting style similar to that ofmaking my soul ache just as much . . . even more, in fact. rangers and he has an unusually high Dexterity that offsets the two-And the pain is growing worse with each moment.” handed fighting penalty. If any of the player characters have extensiveknowledge of undead, they can explain to the elf what she Bandits human males, F3 (5, plus one additional perhas become. She is saddened by this fact, but still party member): AC 8 (leather armor); MV 12; HD 2; hpbelieves her revenge against her abusers was worth it. 15; THAC0 20; #AT1 or 2; Dmg 1d6 (short swords) orShe encourages the party to leave quickly because the 1d6 (short bows); SZ M (5’-6’); ML average (8-10); Intpain is getting to the point where she won’t be able to average (8-10); AL NE; XP 65.tolerate it for much longer. Note: Three of the bandits have bows and six arrows each. These Hanna does not wish to be brought back to life, if men will try to hang back and fire arrows at the party. These archers are worth 120 experience points if defeated by the party.asked. “My beloved husband died last year and I havenothing left to live for,” she says. She also states that she Nintends to remain with the body until it has decayed,protecting it from looters and other men who would defileit. She is willing to permit the party to move the body toa location that is isolated from where the living mighteasily find it, however. Hanna permits a player character to perform funeralrites or otherwise bless her body if asked, but only afterlearning something about the priest’s faith. She followedQuenesti Pah, a goddess of healing and fertility that isworshipped by a handful of elves in the domain ofSithicus. If the priest’s god is of a similar nature, or atleast not opposed to the values that a goddess of healingand fertility represents, she permits the blessing. Oncethe body has been blessed, the banshee’s pain seems toease. Moments later, she starts to fade from view. Shethanks the priest for his blessing, but urges the party toplease heed her requests regarding her body andbracelets. (If they do not, the banshee may reappear laterin the campaign.)

BIOGRAPHY When he was still duke of Gundarak, Gundar dressed

himself up in a uniform, with high boots, black pants, and a white-trimmed red jacket, an ornamental silver saber at

G undar, former Duke of Gundarak, has never been known to be a subtle man— his side. Now that he is roaming the Core, he has taken to indeed, he is known by his former wearing hide armor and a fur cloak, though he encourages subjects as a cruel despot, a madman his men to wear a red sash to acknowledge him as their known to fly in an uncontrollable rage at leader. He carries no weapons, but he is far from the merest slight. Now freed from his defenseless.domain, he is a terrible force, leaving a trail of bodies The vampire seems to not care too greatly forbehind him as he and his band of brigands roam the Core personal hygiene or luxury—he rarely cleans off thewith only one goal in mind: vengeance. blood of his victims, and has been known to wear the same, crimson-spattered clothes for days on end. When Gundar goes into a frenzy, his appearanceFormer Darklord of Gundarak changes dramatically. His nails elongate, becomingGundar of Hunadora vicious claws, his teeth grow into slavering fangs, and a red glow smolders in his eyes. In this state, he is13th-Level Eminent Nosferatu Vampire Fighter, terrifying to behold, and few are those who have survivedChaotic Evil his wrath when they met him in this state.Armor Class -1 Str 20MovementLevel/Hit Dice 21 13/8+3 Dex Con18 19 BackgroundHit Points 67 Int 14 Gundar was born on a distant world approximately 560THAC0 7 or 4 Wis 8 years ago, in the province of Hunadora. At that time,No. of Attacks 2 or 1 Cha12 Hunadora had just been added to the rapidly growingDamage/Attack 1d6+8 (claws) or by weapon +8 empire of Otto III, who had crowned himself afterSpecial Attacks Fear gaze, Drain Constitution disposing of the previous ruler.Special Defenses Undead immunities, Only hit by Gundar grew up in an oppressive regime, where all +2 weapon or higher he had fell to the state. As he saw his father and elderMagic Resistance 20% brother fell under the swords of Otto’s men, and worse happen to his sister, his hatred towards the tyrant grew. At the age of thirteen he joined the resistance. Gundar’sAppearance hatred for the enemy and his enormous strengthGundar is a large man, standing well over six feet tall. propelled him in the ranks of the movement. His fightsWhile he was once handsome, his face now resembles were always victorious, and none of his foes ever escapedthat of a beast, with heavy, bushy eyebrows over a craggy alive.nose, and a black, unkempt beard. After years of struggle, Gundar finally found a way His lips and tongue are dark red, as if coated in into the count’s bastion of evil. A servant had secretlyblood, and his face is set in a snarl. He never speaks if he provided a map and a way into the castle. Gundar hopedcan shout. But Gundar’s most notable trait is his hands, to sneak in with a few men and dispose of the tyrant.which are large, coarse and callused, as Gundar revels in Unfortunately, Gundar had not learned everything ofkilling his enemies with his bare hands. his foe, and thus it came as a complete surprise when he discovered that his oppressor was no mere human, but a

51BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSpowerful nosferatu. The task that has seemed so easy discovery by the enemy, Gundar commanded theproved futile—Otto, who had known of Gundar’s plan battalion’s mage to conduct research.well in advance, disposed of his men with ease. He left After casting a few spells the mage concluded thatGundar for last. As the vampire fell upon him, Gundar the pillar was a conduit for powerful magic, most likely ofthought he had met his doom—but it was not Otto’s intent an extra-planar origin. Of course, such a meager testto end the suffering there. Instead, Otto turned Gundar could not possibly be enough to unravel the power of theinto a vampire, a minion to be witness to all his future evil stone, but Gundar quickly grew impatient and demandedplans. Gundar proved unable to resist the dark surge that the mage activate the stone’s magic. The wizardcame with the change, nor was he able to resist the will of hesitated, so Gundar lashed out at him. His men lookedhis new master. He meekly followed the orders of Otto, on in horror as the bloodied mage set on to cast a spellto betray and crush the resistance to which he once that would activate the stone.belonged. Nor was he capable of stopping Otto’s Gundar stepped closer, as he did not wish to miss outrampage through the country. Gundar saw most of what on the power that would restore his humanity.was left of his own family destroyed. As an unnatural silence befell the group, Gundar Centuries passed. Otto reigned supreme. The few realized he had made a mistake. He tried to step back,rebellious forces were crushed and destroyed by Gundar but found he could not. A darkness gathered around theat Otto’s will. While he secretly craved to be free to roam pillar. His men’s faces contorted in screams of terror, butthe countryside, Gundar was unable to resist Otto’s no sound could be heard. Then the darkness expanded,commands. With each passing year, he felt his humanity washing over Gundar and his men, and as it washed overslip. Gone was the rush of adrenaline in battle, the him, Gundar was filled with a tide of emotions. Lust,drinking and eating in reverie, the sweet caresses of the hate, and every dark desire he ever had rose in his chest,sun, and, even more, the tender touch of a lover. Gundar overpowering his mind with a cacophony of sensations.bemoaned mostly the loss of love, for in his life he had He screamed for ages, clutching his head until henever had the opportunity for romance. Now, he hated collapsed, surrendering to oblivion.those who had found peace and quiet, and he strove to When Gundar opened his eyes again, the flow ofdestroy it whenever he had the chance, separating men emotions had stopped. The pillar was gone, and he foundfrom their families, and rushing them into battles in which himself in unknown territory. Almost two-thirds of histhey would be surely killed. men, including the mage, were missing. The pillar, it Finally, Otto’s tyranny engendered a war with a seemed, had opened a temporary gate into another world,neighboring country, and all men were called to arms. and had transported Gundar and his men there. TheThe army of poorly-equipped farmers proved ineffective effect the Hymn should have had seemed not to haveagainst the well-trained troops that strode in from the come to fruition. Gundar knew he was still undead.North, and even Gundar’s hardened troops could not slow While he sensed a strange vibration running through histhe foe’s advance. Heavy criticism arose about how body, he dismissed this as an after effect of the strange,Gundar seemed to be stalling battles, and how he had extra-planar magic.made one strategic blunder after another. Some even Gathering his senses, Gundar led his company acrossopenly accused him of failing on purpose—but Gundar the land, sacking the first settlement they encountered:was too far in the field to confront him with these Krezk, still a small village in those days. From theallegations. survivors of his attack, Gundar learned that he had As Otto’s reign finally fell, Gundar was at the entered a country called Barovia, ruled by a Count Strahdborderlands of Hunadora, withdrawing his troops from a von Zarovich. This Count Von Zarovich soon respondedsmall company of the Northern cavalry. He had been to Gundar’s pillaging of Krezk, as a horde of Strahdtouring this land for years, secretly searching for the site zombies befell the squad when they left the village.that was to hold a magic stone known as the Hymn of Gundar had fought zombies before, but these creaturesLife. Legends told how the Hymn could restore a dead proved more formidable than he had expected.man to life, and Gundar had hoped for years that the stone Dispatching the lot only after losing a third of his men,could return to him the vigor of true life. Gundar felt no desire to meet their master. Instead, he As he led his men through the woods, retreating from retreated into the hills, where he hoped he could hold outthe enemy, the troops stumbled upon an hitherto till he could learn more about his foe. At every turn,uncharted open spot. In the middle of the spot stood a however, the group was met with more monsters:large, round pillar of what looked like marble. As skeletons, dire wolves, and vampiric minions.Gundar stepped closer, he heard a faint hum emanating When only a few of Gundar’s men remained, Strahdfrom the stone, as if it was vibrating. Something stirred in himself appeared, confronting the vampire warrior andGundar’s chest. This must be the stone he had been demanding he lay down his arms. Less stubborn menlooking for. Ignoring the pleas of his soldiers, who feared might have done so, but Gundar had no desire to again

52 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSfall under the yoke of another vampire. Whether it was later, when he found that, unlike all other vampires, hefear or anger than inspired him is unknown, but a fury was aging—slowly, one year for every ten. This scaredmore powerful than he had ever experienced claimed him. Gundar; the thought that he would grow older andWith a vampire’s unnatural speed, Gundar charged possibly even die—the true death—was hard to bear. InStrahd. While the count had expected some resistance, he order to slow the process, he started to recruit the morehad not foreseen this bold attack. Gundar cannoned into subtle and intelligent minds from his domain’s populace,the vampire, knocking him back, and for one moment people whose knowledge of the mind and body couldStrahd felt uncertain. As he recovered from the first theoretically stop the slow but unstoppable decaying ofassault, however, Strahd found Gundar rushing away, his body.towards the Misty border. Diving forward, Gundar hoped One such man was Daclaud Heinfroth, a doctorto find cover, but as he pressed on, the Mists parted, studying diseases of the mind. One of Heinfroth’s darkrevealing new terrain. Only when he was sure that Strahd experiments on one of Gundar’s brides had accidentallywas not following did Gundar and his few surviving men turned him into an unusual type of vampire, one that fedsurvey the area. on spinal fluids. The doctor, who adopted the alias of They discovered a whole new land, tailored to their “Dr. Dominiani” after his transformation, was far moreliking. Gundar assumed control, taking up camp in a intelligent and cunning than Gundar, and easily brokedecrepit castle that strangely resembled the old castle of away from the control the weak-willed vampire lord triedOtto. He named the castle Hunadora, after the land of his to impose on his ‘subject.’ He worked to gain Gundar’sbirth, and proclaimed himself Duke of Gundarak. It was confidence, while at the same time conspiring to destroy593 on the Barovian calendar. him and take over the reign of Gundarak. Duke Gundar ruled for over a hundred years, In 736 BC, Heinfroth succeeded in his plan—a partyenforcing a cruel regime. While he donned the uniform of heroes infiltrated Castle Hunadora to slay Gundar. Notand garb of a nobleman, the folk soon came to know him only was the vampire lord aware of the heroes’ approach,as a ravening madman. All the atrocities committed by he had lured them to his castle to repay them for foiling aOtto were nothing compared to the harsh tyranny that recent attempt to usurp control of Kartakass. In his mind,befell the people of Gundarak. Gundar arranged an intricate trap. Working with As his reign continued, Gundar felt his power grow. Heinfroth, Gundar had planned to trick his foes intoHe found that he had reclaimed some aspects of the life thinking him vulnerable. The heroes would be coaxed tothat had been denied him—to an extent. The magic of the use sunlight to trap the lord—and Gundar would let them,Hymn of Life seemed to have changed something in his confident that his minion Heinfroth would set him free atinner being, and all the emotions he once craved now the last moment to vent his wrath. Unfortunately, Gundarwelled up to the surface. He rediscovered both anger and overestimated the control he held over the most vital linkfear, feelings long since lost to him. He was also plagued in his plan: Heinfroth. When the confrontation with theby hunger and thirst which mundane food and water could heroes came, Heinfroth declined to close the curtains thatnot slake, instead only fanning his craving for blood. had been opened to trap the duke, and Gundar, paralyzed He rediscovered his lust for women, and fathered by the sun’s rays, was unable to defend himself. A stakeseveral children with the slaves that were brought to his was driven through his heart, and in moments his fleshcastle to feed on. One daughter and one son were born decayed into a skeletal husk. Heinfroth then slew thefrom a particular favorite slave, though it is possible more heroes himself, discarding their bodies, along with that ofchildren were begotten by other women. Gundar did not his master, in the deepest levels of the castle, the stakeinitially pay them much attention. Sadly, the vampiric still lodged in the vampire’s ribs. Heinfroth foundblood in the children’s veins slowly drove them insane. himself the unexpected darklord of Gundarak, andMedraut, the boy, killed his sister, Gewenna, over a minor became its apathetic, unspoken ruler for the next fourdispute. The boy developed into a talented but mentally years.unstable sorcerer. Gundar and Medraut despised each Heinfroth’s rule ended with the Grand Conjunction inother for decades. The duke utilized the sorcerous power 740. The domain collapsed, and Barovian soldiersMedraut could wield, but feared him for that same reason. quickly marched in to claim half of the fallen duke’sGundar went so far to hire assassins to dispose of his mad land—including the lands surrounding Heinfroth’s ownson, but none succeeded in their task. When the asylum. Heinfroth fled his keep, only to be promptlyunnatural child was finally killed in a clash with Lord swallowed by the Mists, and was granted his own domain.Soth, a death knight, it came as a relief to Gundar. In the year 748, Invidian rebels against the evil The cost of Gundar’s revived emotions was not Dukkar, Malocchio Aderre, discovered the skeleton ofdirectly apparent, although Gundar noticed that truly Gundar in the dungeons of Castle Hunadora. They soldpleasant feelings, such as love, never came to the surface. the skeleton to the owner of a traveling road show. TheGundar discovered the true price only several decades skeleton was one of the top attractions is the show for

53BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSyears—until a pair of skeptical onlookers removed the however, as he prefers to use his hands in combat, usingstake from the ribcage. Gundar immediately revived, his great strength and Constitution drain to its fullkilled the couple, and fled the scene. potential. His grip is immensely strong. If both his attacks hit the same foe in a round of combat, he hasCurrent Sketch locked on to his victim. Every round thereafter, he does automatic damage, and can automatically drain 1 point ofGundar now roams the lands of the Core, searching for Constitution per round with his bite. A bend bars roll isDaclaud Heinfroth, with a group of the worst and vilest required to break free from his grasp.brigands he could find. He still ages, but he has currently In the rare case where he might employ a weapon,postponed finding a “cure” until he has had his revenge Gundar adds his Strength bonus to the weapon’s damageon the vampire that betrayed him. (+8). Part of Gundar would like to reclaim the land he once Gundar is an eminent vampire, much older thanruled from the dual grasp of Strahd and Malocchio, but Strahd. He does not have the count’s strong will, but hefear of being imprisoned again keeps him from actively does have some other benefits that come from his longparticipating in the rebellion against the Dukkar. He has life span. Sunlight does not hurt or kill him; however, ittherefore not dared to return to his castle, Hunadora. does cause him such pain that it effectively paralyzes him. Instead, he has moved his brigand troupe to the When hit by the rays of the sun, Gundar is unable to moveformer estate of Dr. Dominiani. Here, he hopes to find or defend himself (if he succeeds at a save vs.information on the doctor’s whereabouts. He has thus far paralyzation he can move for one round before beingbeen unsuccessful, though it is likely that it will not take paralyzed). At least 50% of his body has to be exposed tolong before he discovers the truth. Meanwhile, he and his sunlight to have this effect. The paralysis leaves theband make short forays into the surrounding lands of instant less than 50% of his body is in the sun’s rays.Barovia, Sithicus, and Kartakass. Most of his crimes are Gundar regenerates 4 hit points per round, and cannow blamed on the Gundarakite rebels. only be hit by spells or weapons of +2 or higher Gundar is willing to cooperate with anyone that can enchantment. He can charm people with his gaze, like allhelp him obtain his revenge on Dominiani. He has nosferatu, but he does not enforce any penalties on savingalready drawn the attention of the demon Inajira, a throws according to his age. He does, however, have thelifelong archenemy of Strahd. The fiend is currently ability to cause fear at will in any who look into his eyes.contemplating whether an alliance with Gundar may be Those who do so must make a fear check or suffer itsbeneficial. Gundar himself has already tried to gain effects. Gundar is turned as a normal vampire, but with asupport from Harkon Lukas, who also suffered under +3 penalty applied to the die roll.Dominiani’s double-cross, but the bard’s repulsion for Finally, Gundar can enter a berserker frenzy if hevampires has caused the negotiations to fail. wishes. When in this frenzy, he will never retreat from battle. He also gains a +2 bonus to all attack, damage,Personality and saving throw rolls, and cannot be turned, though he isCurrently Gundar is mostly driven by his rage—he is a still vulnerable to sunlight.rampant berserker seeking vengeance. All who oppose Gundar can be killed, but he cannot be destroyedhim in his quest to see Heinfroth destroyed will perish. until his remains are buried in the soil of what was once On the other hand, Gundar is immensely afraid that Gundarak. In all other cases, it will be possible for hishe will eventually die. For a creature that would normally minions to revive him.live forever, it is unbearable to know that he is aging. It Nmay be possible for heroes to strike up a bargain withGundar, and even to come out on top, if they can find thesolution to Gundar’s immortality. Those who deal with Gundar should beware; thevampire puts no trust in others. He expects betrayal atevery opportunity, and is known to plant none-too-subtletraps to expose disloyal members of his brigand band.

CombatGundar has all the abilities of a Nosferatu vampire. He isalso a very skilled warrior. It can be assumed that he isproficient in most melee weapons, including modernblades such as the saber. He rarely uses melee weapons,

BIOGRAPHY towards goblins began at this time; the burning hatred of

those creatures that sprang from these first encounters would last him through the rest of his life.

D estiny is unavoidable, some say. Perhaps this is the case. Who knows? Still, Meltos, on the other hand, was still true to his nature, everywhere in the dark lands of the and fought with the quiet determination that had become Demiplane of Dread, there are those who so familiar to Leobe over the years. It astounded the would defy destiny, who would go against young huntsman one day when Meltos was injured by a everything to do what they see as right. goblin’s arrow but did not cry out or even let on that heSome are the infamous darklords, those like the late Lord was hurt until the enemy was routed.Azalin of Darkon or Count Strahd von Zarovich of But as is the way of all things, the two friends grewBarovia. Both have sought to push the limits, to escape apart. Then Meltos met Gorion. Gorion was a tall, quietthe prisons that they themselves have forged, refusing to man, and Meltos soon found that he had a lot in commonaccept their destiny. Still, not all who refuse to accept with him. Then, after a few weeks, Gorion confided indestiny are the Darklords. There are some that are Meltos, telling him of the Caretakers. Meltos finallyshrouded in so much mystery and darkness that none can realized what he had been striving for all his life, andfind them; and those who do soon wish they hadn’t. suddenly felt complete. He fairly begged Gorion to allow him to join, and the older man obliged. Meltos’ first Attunement took place a year later, in aBackground deep forest in northeastern Tepest. And this is whereThe young man known as Meltos was born in the land of Meltos’ life turned again.Tepest, in the city of Kellee, in the year 695. He grew up Upon the completion of the Attunement ritual,normally, but found that he always had a fascination with Meltos felt the rush of energy from the land of Tepestnature. His best friend as a child was another boy named engulf him, filling him with a lust for power that neverLeobe, and as children they would wander the woods resided there before. After this ritual, Meltos changed.around Kellee, but never very far for fear of the “wee He became much more confident, sure, and active. Hisbeasties.” passive outlook on life gone, Meltos charged off, on his Meltos was a handsome child, both in physical way to attune to more lands and spread his base of power.beauty and natural charisma. He was also a quiet lad, not While he was gone however, the Hags of Tepest routedgiven to the temper tantrums that frequently assaulted the Caretakers of Tepest and destroyed them to the last.other children his age. Leobe, on the other hand, seemed When Meltos returned to the land of his birth, heto take Meltos’ share of anger, as the boy was always found his former headquarters deserted. The signs of adefiant and boisterous. Despite these differences, their struggle were evident, and when he found a skeletal armnatural love of the woods brought them together in a bond lying forgotten on the floor, he instinctively knew that thethat no one could break. Hags were responsible for this horrid atrocity. A burning As they grew to manhood, their friendship deepened. anger swelled within his breast, and Meltos immediatelyKnowing the woods better than anyone around them, they headed for the village of Kellee.started to travel further and further into the dark canopy Finding his old friend Leobe was easy, as Leobe hadof trees. Not a few times did they run into the wee become something of a hermit, living on the outskirts ofbeasties, but they were always triumphant in these the village. Leobe was very surprised to see Meltos, forencounters, because of Leobe’s skill with his when Meltos had disappeared to join the Caretakers,grandfather’s long sword and Meltos’ skill with a stout everyone soon came to believe that he had been killed inquarterstaff that he had carved himself. Leobe’s enmity one of his forays into the woods.

55BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS As happy as Leobe was to see Meltos, he still refused approve of his militant and sometimes brash methods.to storm into the woods that night in an effort to find the Thus, when Meltos petitioned others to swear fealty tohidden Hags of Tepest and destroy them. Leobe him, he could only find one who would do so, and evendismissed the idea as foolish, and began to fear for his then, reluctantly. This was a young man named Jonathanfriend’s sanity when he would not let the idea go. But who had been in the order for long enough to make Druidbefore Leobe could stop him, the lad turned and fled out status.of the cottage into the night. This shortfall worried Meltos, for he was getting on Searching through the wilderness that night, Meltos in years and knew that he had to make his ascensioneventually came upon a small cottage alone in the woods. quickly. Otherwise the ravages of time would catch upHe crept up to it cautiously, but upon opening the door with him, and he would wither away. Again, Meltosfound no one at home. petitioned the order to provide three Druids to follow But oh, how the place reeked! There was old blood him, and again he was denied. This time no one steppedspattered on the walls, and the large table in the center of forward to support him. In a rage, Meltos forsook thethe main room left little doubt as to what it had been used order and swore to leave it to protect nature on his own.for. On a nearby table there lay some blood-splattered As he was packing up his things, Meltos came uponpapers. Picking these up, he spied that they were notes some papers that he had completely forgotten about.written by someone calling himself “Phantom’s Bane,” They were the treatise on lichdom penned by the beingand they concerned the process of becoming a lich. known as Phantom’s Bane. Sitting down and reading theStowing these papers in a pouch on his belt, Meltos papers once more, Meltos found an alternative to histurned to leave and saw a sight that would inspire his quest to become an Archdruid and thus escape thenightmares for years to come. ravages of time. And here too, was a way for him to Before him in the doorway were three old hags, defeat the three hags which had destroyed his originalcovered in warts, wrinkles, and open sores. One had teeth clan of Caretakers.too large for her mouth, and drool constantly dripped It did not matter to Meltos that the undead weredown her black chin. Another had sickly green skin and unnatural, he was only going to become one for a shortstared at him with bright orange eyes and a surprised time, do what he had to do, and then go to his final rest.smile. And the final one was small and petite, with limp At least, this is what he told himself.hair and bulging fish-like eyes that looked at him with Meltos realized that a solstice was nearing. If hewhat could only be described as hunger! Hanging from hurried, he could perform the ceremony to lichdom andthe clutches of one of the Hags was a small girl, perhaps the ritual of Attunement on the same night! Resolving tono older then ten years. Mercifully, she was unconscious, fulfill this plan, he hurried about collecting various herbs,and Meltos hoped that she would stay that way till her deadly venom, and worst of all, blood. With each victimdeath . . . but he found the thought unlikely. of his depredations, Meltos sank deeper and deeper into Frantically looking about, Meltos spied a boarded-up evil and darkness.window and leapt for it, heedless of the cries of the After studying and collecting the various ingredientswomen or the wooden boards in his way. Smashing listed in the treatise, Meltos was ready, but for one lastthrough the obstacle and tumbling out into the forest, requirement: the heart of a sentient creature. MeltosMeltos ran faster than he had before, but still had the could only think of one person who would even speakpresence of mind to hide his tracks using an ability taught with him after his leaving the Caretakers, and that wasto him by Gorion himself. As soon as he was able, Jonathan, the one man who had tentatively stood with himMeltos fled Tepest for the land of Darkon. on his petition for Archdruid status. Meltos’ mind formed Arriving in Darkon, Meltos found another branch of a horrific plan.Caretakers, this group residing in the foothills of the Luring Jonathan out into the forest during theMountains of Misery. They took him in, and soon Meltos solstice, Meltos slew the young man with the sickle heagain began to advance within the hierarchy of the had used since he had entered the order, forever stainingCaretakers. But Meltos’ nights were plagued with dreams the dark blade. Then, defiling the instrument again, heof the Hags and the broken bodies of his former cut Jonathan’s still-warm heart from his chest. Lookingcomrades. Still, he kept working, traveling and attuning up at the sky, Meltos began to perform the ceremony ofhimself to other lands. lichdom and the ceremony of Attunement in a horrific By the time Meltos turned fifty years old, he was combination of corruption. At the ritual’s conclusion,ready to ascend to Archdruid status. But there was a Meltos drank the Potion of Transformation, and his worldproblem. Meltos needed three Caretakers of Druid status went dark.to support him, and in his time abroad, Meltos had made Waking up later, Meltos realized that the rite hadenemies within the Caretakers. While no one could argue worked! He had become a powerful being, capable ofwith his zealous desire to protect nature, they did not all delivering justice to the hags! It did not worried him that

56 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENShe now had skin like dead bark, flaking away whenever electricity still applies). Undeath renders him immune tohe moved suddenly, or that a stench of rotting vegetation charm and any other mind-affecting spells.followed him wherever he went. His sole consideration Unlike the paralyzing touch of a normal lich, thewas revenge. touch of Nature’s Sorrow causes an interesting form of But when Meltos made his way to the border, he rot. This rot can only affect living or once-living things,found that he could not cross into Tepest! The rituals he and eventually consumes all of whatever it afflicts. Non-had performed had bound him to Darkon too strongly for living objects must succeed at a saving throw vs. magicalhim to leave it, even with his powers of a Caretaker! The fire every twelve hours or they are affected by the rot.woods echoed with his screams that night, as he vented Once two saving throws are failed, the item is destroyed.his rage to the skies. Living victims take longer to decay however, and if they When his pent-up anger finally spent itself, he make a saving throw vs. poison they are not affected atresigned himself to his fate. Discarding his name and all all. If the saving throw is failed however, the Rot sets intrappings of his former life, Meltos has now claimed a and the victim suffers 2d4 points of damage every hourportion of the Forest of Shadows and jealously guards it from aches, bursting boils, opening sores, and stiffeningfrom those who would enter his self-claimed land. He has of the joints. A cure disease spell will remove this blightoften had to defend himself from lycanthropes sent by from any afflicted target, whether living or not. Nature’sGalf Kloggin, but he has had no trouble doing so. The Sorrow may opt to enchant his quarterstaff or sickle withvillages around the region now whisper of a new threat, spells and attack with them instead.one calling itself only . . . Nature’s Sorrow. Nature’s Sorrow retains all the spellcasting abilities he had before his transformation, and indeed, he stillNature’s Sorrow worships and protects nature. However, he sees no place for humans or the like in his view of nature, and13th-level Lich Caretaker, Neutral Evil exterminates them immediately. Because of his undeadArmor Class 0 Str 14 form, Nature’s Sorrow has found that he major access toMovement 6 Dex 11 the sphere of Necromancy in addition to the standardLevel/Hit Dice 13 Con13 spheres available to a normal Caretaker.Hit Points 53 Int 16 Nature’s Sorrow can only be harmed by magicalTHAC0 7 Wis 16 weapons of +1 or better enchantment. If the weapon inNo. of Attacks 1 Cha15 question is of a natural origin (made of wood or otherDamage/Attack 1d10 (touch) or 1d6 (staff) organic material) then he only suffers half damage. On or 1d4+1 (sickle) the other hand, if the weapon is one allowed to CaretakersSpecial Attacks Rot, spells (club, sickle, dart, spear, dagger, sling, scimitar, orSpecial Defenses Spells, only hit by +1 quarterstaff) he suffers double normal damage, providing weapons or higher the weapons carries enough enchanted to harm him at all.Special Vulnerabilities Fire If the weapon is not so enchanted, then it merely causes 1Magic Resistance Nil point of damage with each successful attack.XP Value 12,000 Nature’s Sorrow has another weakness: the ultimate cleanser, fire. He suffers a -2 penalty to any saving Nature’s Sorrow is horrible to look upon. He has a throws vs. fire-based attacks and suffers an extra 2 pointshumanoid form, but his skin appears to be dead, flaking of damage per die. For this reason, he usually focuses onbark, and where hair should be white roots hang from a killing flame-wielding opponents in preference to anybald skull. Green fire lights his eyes, and a stench of rot others.hangs in the air around him. He is clothed in a tattered If reduced to 0 hp, Nature’s Sorrow is forced into agreen robe. spirit form, and will flee to the nearest tree while his former body quickly rots and crumbles to fetid, worm-Combat infested earth (within two rounds). He can only flee to a tree within thirty feet of his body, and it must be at leastNature’s Sorrow is a deadly opponent for those not six feet tall. In addition, Nature’s Sorrow cannot takeprepared for him. His previous ordeals have bonded him control of any tree that has been set aflame. If no viablewith the land in a way that he could never have tree exists within range, he is permanently destroyed asconceived; he is part of the land in an undead form. He his soul dissipates, consumed by the earth. Thus, his foeshas all the abilities of a Caretaker of his level, except that would do well to set the forest around them ablaze if theyhe cannot Shape Change or cross out of Darkon, and he wish the lich permanently dead. But if such a tree doesno longer has a +2 bonus to saving throws vs. fire (but exist within range, then his spirit inhabits it, and the tree dies within a day. Note that once Nature’s Sorrow has

57BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENStaken possession of a tree, it gains his immunities andbecomes temporarily immune to fire until the lichbecomes active (in one day). After this day, Nature’sSorrow gains the ability to move, and his statistics areidentical to that of an undead treant (RAVENLOFTMonstrous Compendium I & II). This phase lasts oneweek, after which his body has changed enough toresemble his shell of old and his statistics change tomatch those above. In addition to his powers already listed, Nature’sSorrow has one other ability, resembling that of a normaltreant. He can animate nearby trees (within thirty feet) tohelp him. Such a tree has statistics that resemble anormal evil treant, with 9 Hit Dice. He can only animatetwo trees in this way at a time, and each tree takes oneround to uproot itself and move out. This process istaxing, so Nature’s Sorrow only uses it when necessary. Nature’s Sorrow cannot control undead in the normalsense, but he can control any undead created from plantcreatures or those killed by plants. If the undead falls intothis category he can control them normally, as laid out inVan Richten’s Guide to the Lich. If this accessory is notavailable, assume that Nature’s Sorrow can controlundead as a 13th-level cleric. The lich’s favorite spells are given below, but theymay be changed if the need arises. He has major accessto the spheres of All, Animal, Elemental, Healing,Necromantic, Plant, Time, Wards, and Weather. He hasminor access to the spheres of Divination and Travelers.Nature’s Sorrow never casts spells that involve fire otherthan to extinguish it.

Note: Some spells have been drawn from the Players

Handbook, Tome of Magic, and Player’s Option: Spells& Magic. If one or more of these sources are notavailable, substitute appropriate spells as you see fit.N

58 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

CARNIVAL: THE BALLYHOO

MORE ACTS TO FILL YOUR TEN-IN-ONE by John W. Mangrum iggy@kargatane.com

A clown is funny in the circus ring, but The farmer stood staring dully at the strange handbill nailed to the tree at the edge of his farm. It waswhat would be the normal reaction to covered not in words, but in strange swirls of ink. Theopening a door at midnight and finding moment his gaze fell on those swirls, they had drawn in his mind like a whirlpool. Strange patterns had revealedthe same clown, standing there in the themselves within the swirls; images that became clearer with each minute, even as the farmer sank deeper into hismoonlight? trance. —Lon Chaney Sr. Only gradually did he become aware of a hand snapping its fingers mere inches from his face. His mind

INTRODUCTION suddenly clear, the farmer started back, spinning to face this unwelcome stranger. His jaw dropped. The hand belonged to a tall, smirking man idly

C arnival draws inspiration from over a twirling a thin cane behind his back. The man’s attire century of sideshows and midways, both gave him the look of an undertaker—one who’d done real and fictional. Many of its acts are very well for himself, in fact. But what dropped the dark echoes of the performers who worked farmer’s jaw was that which lay beyond the smirking under the true masters of the carnival man. Strange and colorful figures hurried this way and craft: P. T. Barnum, Madame Tetrallini, that among a vast ring of wagons and tents. It was someMr. Dark, and Dr. Lao. With such a rich tradition to sort of traveling festival, but . . . just how long had hedraw from, it was inevitable that the Carnival accessory been entranced by that unnatural handbill?would never be able to hold all the exotic acts that lurked “Hello, George” said the stranger, offering a coldwithin its gaudy ring of wagons. As a sample for those smile. “Are you the owner of this land? We’d like towho don’t have Carnival, and as an extra gift for those plant stakes here for a few days, if we may. I do hope wewho do, we present four more denizens of Isolde’s can come to an arrangement.”Carnival. We hope you enjoy our acts; there may well be The farmer frowned, still uncomprehending. “Mymore Troupers still waiting in the wings . . . name’s not George. I don’t think you should. . .” The smirking man cut the farmer off before he couldCarnival Lingo Quick Reference finish his refusal. “We are the Carnival, my good man.The speech of the Carnival’s performers is littered with We enter, we entertain, we exit. No harm done to you orslang terms, used quite knowingly to alienate outsiders. yours.” The farmer’s frown refused to waver. TheThe Carnival accessory offers a full glossary of Carny smirking man threw a welcoming arm around hislingo, but these selections will see you through for now. shoulder, taking the farmer into his confidence. “Look Ballyhoo: Excitement, ado. A free show offered to here George. You can call me Tindal, by the by. Ientice the Georges into visiting Carnival. understand your unease. I comprehend your concerns! George: Rube, sucker, outsider. Visitors to the But I’ll make you a deal. What do you say to a bit ofCarnival. ballyhoo? I’ll show you a few of our exotic entertainers, Ten-in-One: The Carnival tradition of presenting ten free of charge, of course, and then you can decide uponacts as a single show. the payment you’d prefer for our presence. Step right up Trouper: A performer at the Carnival. ...

59BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS What wonderment shall I reveal to you first, George? It is all for show, after all; I rather get the feeling that ifAh! What better choice than to offer two acts in one? Isolde wanted to, she could mince the pair of them in twinIndeed, that’s what we call them: heartbeats. Hrmm? Who is Isolde? Ah. Isolde is the Mistress of our Carnival; our guardian angel, if I may waxThe Two-is-One poetic. Best to put her out of your mind, George; she’s not part of the tour.George, I’d like to introduce you to Philip and Allan.Their stage names are The Half-Boy and the HumanTorso, respectively, but it’s when combined that they The Two-is-Onetruly shine, both onstage and off. Your eyes do not lie; Allan is an insightful man with natural artistic talents. HisPhilip has feet but no legs, while Allan has hands but no comrade Philip is dynamic and witty, always thirsting forarms. Apart, each is half a man, but perch the former on adventure. When working as a team (with Philip ridingthe shoulders of the latter, and they’re more than a match atop Allan’s shoulders), these two men can coordinatefor any mob! their efforts to great mutual benefit. In practice, Two-is- These two gents are survivors of the Puppet Show, One can make two attempts at most die rolls; when rollingbut I don’t imagine you’d know what that is. Hrmm, I for initiative, ability score checks, or saving throwsappear to be correct. Have you heard of the Carnival against physical attacks, roll two dice (one for eachl’Morai? No? Alas, for they are one and the same. partner in Two-is-One) and use the better result. OnlySadly, the tale of the Puppet Show is long and sad, best roll once for attack and damage rolls, however; wieldingsaved for another tour—preferably one you’ve paid for. the blade falls to Allan alone.For now, just know that in that dread domain, innocents In similar fashion, attacks which cause blindnesswere sent to the Carnival l’Morai as a form of exile, hinder Two-in-One’s abilities only if both men arepunishment for nonexistent crimes. There, their bodies affected; if only Allan or Philip is bereft of sight, thewere cruelly transformed in ways intended to echo their other can verbally direct his partner with such speed andsupposed failings, and they were also robbed of the acuity that they do not suffer the standard -4 penalty tomemories of their former lives, leaving them forever attack rolls.ignorant of their offenses. Allan and Philip may never know why they were sent Philip & Allan, human males, F4: AC 10/9; MV 9/12;to the Puppet Show, but once there they found each other hp 23/26; THAC0 17; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8 (saber); SZ S/M;and struck up a natural partnership. ML elite (13); Str 15/13, Dex 7/16, Con 13/14, Int 12/11, In case I forget to point it out to you later, George, Wis 10/12, Cha 12/13 (6/6); AL CGyou can tell the original Troupers of the Carnival l’Morai Notes: Where they differ between the two men, scores before the slash represent Philip; those after represent Allan. Charisma scores inby a small red tattoo of a rearing horse on the back of parentheses represent their Charisma as seen by outsiders, as opposedtheir head; that’s how the lord of the Puppet Show to fellow Troupers.branded his slaves, the vicious swine. These days, ofcourse, such a tattoo is an emblem worthy of respect. The full tale of the Carnival l’Morai can be found in I am told that back in l’Morai, Allan and Philip’s the novel Carnival of Fear. The Carnival accessory alsoimposed deformities turned any number of life’s simple provides an overview of the salient events.tasks into laborious chores. Not so anymore. In thedecade they’ve traveled with the new Carnival under Now George, prepare yourself as we start to enter theIsolde, both men have truly come into their own. Philip realm of the truly bizarre. From one peculiar pair tocan run on his hands nearly as fast as you or I can sprint, another, I present . . . What’s that? There’s nothingand Allan’s dexterous toes have turned him into a more strange about this next gentleman? How dare you insulttalented painter than half the artists in Port-a-Lucine! In me by implying that our acts aren’t up to snuff! Andfact, he and the Illuminated Man paint most of our canvas while you’re at it, tip your hat to the lady!banners! Hrmm? Oh, fear not, I’ll introduce you to the Oh dear. Corgar, I do believe I’ve completelyIlluminated Man on some other night. befuddled this poor George. Do him the honor of Combined, the Two-is-One truly astounds! Over the sampling your act, so he can understand why we call you .last few years, they’ve somehow talked Isolde into ..teaching them swordplay; while Philip wields his flashingsaber, Allan confounds their opponent with his fancyfootwork! If you’re lucky, you might catch the sight of The Half-and-HalfTwo-is-One and Isolde’s occasional sparring matches. You see, George? I promise the strange and unusual, andIt’s a daring display of dancing steel, and I only wish I that is precisely what I deliver. Now, while you standcould talk Isolde into performing for the paying Georges.

60 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSthere attracting flies with that gaping mouth, I shall by her singular desire to meet death while carving a pathexplain how it is that this Trouper came to us. though the undead minions of the Whispered One. Imagine, if you will, the life of the humble Ant. It was within Cavitius that she encountered us. WeSurrounded by thousands of your kind, an expendable were camped on the road, our first, and hopefully last,pawn in a vast plan you can scarcely comprehend. Your visit to that bleak landscape. Verai simply marchedentire existence dependent upon falling beneath the notice through our camp, barely even noticing us—and you canof the Men that tower above you! Such is life in the imagine how distracted one must be not to notice us!Burning Peaks, a land I’d never heard of until we visited Only one person stood in her way: Isolde. Isolde utteredit just over a year ago. just one short phrase; Verai’s legs gave out under her, and In that land, the mad ruler of Tovag herds his people she finally surrendered to her woe.into war against his foul neighbor, the unholy ruler of What did Isolde say? Simple: “He’s not dead.” YouCavitius, whose name the Half-and-Half will not speak. I see, Corgar had also been wandering between Cavitiussay “war,” but truly I mean “slaughter.” Among these and Tovag; he too had been suffering from blackouts.countless sacrifices to their ruler’s bloodlust were two But while Verai had been consumed by vengeance, heyoung soldiers, a wedded couple by the names of Corgar was drowning in despair for his lost beloved.and Verai. Each was an admirable soldier in their own Isolde told us to pull stakes right away—indeed, thatright, but when playing off each other they conceived was the only time I think I’ve ever heard a true hint ofbrilliant tactics that saved the lives of their comrades fear in her voice. We left Cavitius immediately, takingcountless times. Their true test came just a few weeks Verai with us, and we’ve never returned.before we found them, when their foe, the Whispered Only the next day did we learn the full truth aboutOne, revealed his most terrible weapon to date: the first of Verai and Corgar, as did they. Why? Because it wasn’this hideous war engines, crawling behemoths forged from until the next day that Verai transformed into Corgar, ofhundreds of corpses and unspeakable, eldritch wizardry. course, finally completing the puzzle of their existence!The tale of Verai and Corgar’s plan to topple this When Verai and Corgar’s combined tactics defeatedmonstrosity is as thrilling as it is chilling, but ‘tis their his war engine, the Whispered One had placed the twotale to tell, and in truth our story begins only after the war warriors in one body so they could never rely on eachengine’s destruction. other ever again. But it was not an act of vengeance. As the unholy engine of destruction toppled into a Ants don’t warrant revenge in the eyes of Men. Theravine, defeated, Verai and Corgar clasped each other’s Whispered One had destroyed their lives for nothinghands in joy as their legion cheered them on. In that more than a moment’s amusement.moment, a shadow fell over the battleground, and a For a time, Verai and Corgar were somewhatloathsome presence made itself known. That was when problematic; for one thing, their transformations back andthe Ants realized they had just drawn the attention of a forth were unpredictable, so they weren’t of much use asMan. performers. Another hurdle was that, apparently, neither A writhing darkness swept across the battlefield, of them had ever been taught anything other than how todriving all present into oblivion. A day passed before wield a sword. If we had any need for battlefield tactics, IVerai regained consciousness. She found the Tovag suppose they could have been useful, but for the most partsoldiers merely dead, but her beloved Corgar was utterly they simply acted like ignorant children!gone; annihilated. Her spirit shattered, Verai started the Matters did start to improve, though, especially whentrek back to the capital to report what had occurred. It the Twisting claimed them. Hrmm? What is thewas during her trip back that the blackouts started. At Twisting? All things change, George. Especially allleast once a day, Verai would suddenly find herself miles things in the Carnival. But you needn’t concern yourselffrom where she last stood, hours having passed. When with that now.she awoke within the Madhouse of the capital city, she At any rate, until the Twisting set in, Verai wouldrealized what had occurred. In vengeance for destroying transform into Corgar (or vice versa) at random, andhis military monstrosity, the Whispered One had neither had any memory of their time as the other. Thedecimated her ranks, destroyed her beloved, and rendered Twisting reunited them. Just like a werebeast can take aher insane. hybrid form halfway between man and beast, so too can She decided there was nothing left for her but Verai and Corgar take a third form: an uneven mixture ofvengeance. Fighting her way out of the Madhouse, she both man and woman. That is the Half-and-Half whichstole a sword and started to march back toward the land stands before you now, and in this form Verai and Corgarof her foe. The blackouts continued, and after each one can finally be united, two minds and two bodies meldedshe found she had backtracked towards the capital. But into one. They help each other to heal, now; Verai’salways she turned toward Cavitius, marching on, driven presence draws Corgar out of his despair, and Corgar eases Verai’s burning hatred. They learn quickly when

61BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSthey can support each other, and we’ve been teaching Trouper with something in common with the last. Hrmmthem a whole new way of life beyond killing and being . . . a warrior struck down by an elemental force.killed. It may be a bittersweet end, but I believe they’ve Someone the Carnival found in their own, livingfound a measure of happiness. purgatory . . . Oho! But of course! Still, I must say, their situation is a bit more . . .intimate than I think I’d be comfortable with . . . Ronin Thunder Behold this exotic warrior, hailing from the distant SixThe Half-and-Half Islands of the Sun! Gape at his martial prowess! WonderNot unlike a true lycanthrope, the merged Verai and at the grace and poise with which he twirls his blades!Corgar can take three forms: female Verai, male Corgar, Yet, you cannot deny that your eyes are drawn to the coilsor the hermaphroditic Half-and-Half. Still bearing deep of crackling blue fire snaking over his limbs! Trace theinner scars from their experiences, Verai is a hostile and charred trails across his outlandish armor, marking theunforgiving woman with long, wild auburn hair, blue previous paths of that primal power! Stand in awe of theeyes, and a sleekly muscular frame. Corgar has a power of the storm, as you watch Ronin Thunder playsomewhat heavier frame, brown eyes, black hair, and the with the lightning dancing between his twin swords!sullen, withdrawn personality born of his fate. As the Yes, Ronin Thunder holds nature’s wrath within him,Half-and-Half, their auburn hair is streaked with black, and his sad tale is just as thunderous. Many years ago,and while one eye is brown, the other is blue. Their body Ronin Thunder lived in a foreign land far from here, ais similarly melded and uneven; some portions of their land which may even lay beyond the Mists. There he wasphysique belong purely to Verai, others to Corgar, while known only by his true name, Renchi Futo. He was ansome portions remain a strange mixture of the two. The honorable warrior, a chivalrous knight of sorts called ajoining of Verai and Corgar eases the suffering of each, “samurai,” sworn to serve his noble and honorablelending the Half-and-Half a serene and confident outlook. master. Yet even in a land of honor, War had still come As either Verai or Corgar, they transform from one to call.identity to the other once every 1d20 hours, and neither The armies of Renchi’s lord and those of his foe metpartner remembers their experiences while in the other’s on the honorable field of battle. Renchi and his fellowbody. However, either can take the form of the Half-and- samurai fought bravely, but a strange fog rolled over theHalf at will, and may remain in this form as long as they battlefield, scattering their strategy. The blinded battlewish. The Half-and-Half has access to the memories and turned against the forces of Renchi’s lord, and theabilities of both Corgar and Verai. For these reasons, the samurai stumbled out of the fog just in time to see hisHalf-and-Half tends to revert to one of its “normal” forms master struck down from behind by an enemy soldier.only when the situation demands it pass unnoticed among Renchi had failed his master, but could still avenge him,mundane folk. and so pursued the cowardly assassin deeper into the haze. So intent was Renchi on capturing the killer that allVerai, human female, 9th-level avenger: AC 7 (studded else melted away into the Mists; the sounds of battle, hisleather); MV 12; hp 63; THAC0 12; #AT 3/2; Dmg by fellow warriors, and finally even the land itself.weapon; SA long sword specialization; SV blackouts; SZ When the Mists parted, Renchi Futo found himself inM; ML elite (14); Str 14, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 15, Wis 6, strange surroundings. He had entered Rokushima Táiyoo,Cha 14; AL CN a land in the Mists torn by strife and seldom seen by outsiders. Renchi had lost everything; he had lost hisCorgar, human male, F9: AC 7 (studded leather); MV home, he had lost his master, and in the latter he had even12; hp 81; THAC0 12; #AT 3/2; Dmg by weapon; SD lost the status of samurai. Now he was called “ronin,” ainspire bravery; SV blackouts; SZ M; ML elite (14); Str knight without a lord, a status which held no honor.16, Dex 11, Cha 17, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 12; AL LN Wandering aimlessly, the warrior found his way to the city of Beikoku. His arrival coincided with an inspectionHalf-and-Half: AC 7 (studded leather); MV 12; HD 9; by the island’s shujin, Yugami Shimpi, Lord of the North.hp 72; THAC0 12; #AT 3/2; Dmg by weapon; SA long When visiting merchants revealed themselves to besword specialization; SD inspire bravery; SZ M; ML assassins and attacked the shujin’s retinue, Renchi was inchampion (16); Str 15, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 7, position to defeat the villains, and handily them defeat heCha 13/6; AL N did! Awed by the foreigner’s fighting prowess and Hrmm. Usually I prefer to leap from one wildly discipline, Shimpi invited Renchi to his castle.disparate act to another, using each to exaggerate the Shujin Yugami learned much of Renchi’s past. Inothers, but I’m rather having fun finding these patterns. return, Renchi learned that the islands of RokushimaSo let’s continue the game, shall we? Let’s find another Táiyoo were divided between four warring brothers, all

62 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSstruggling to control the empire left behind by their late Táiyoo on that stormy night, and was camped within sightfather. Yugami Shimpi warned Renchi that his brothers, of that flash of elemental fury. Several of the TroupersYoku, Yake, and Yami, were honorless tyrants, whose climbed the slope to investigate, against the advice ofarmies were composed of brutish thugs and fearful their comrades. Atop the peak they found the fallenassassins. Shujin Yugami was himself as devoid of honor warrior Renchi Futo, clinging to life and dressed in theas his brothers, but had a keen eye for Renchi’s character. same burn-marked armor he wears onstage today. TheyYugami depicted himself as an honorable lord besieged carried him back to camp, and nursed him back to health.on all sides by craven villains, and invited Renchi to join By the time Renchi was well enough to walk, the Carnivalhis forces. Renchi swore fealty to the Shujin of the had moved on from Rokushima Táiyoo, and the TwistingNorth, and regained the exalted status of samurai. had moved into his flesh.Yugami gained a fearsome and loyal warrior, and warned That was in the year 745, and the same charge ofhis minions not to shatter the samurai’s naiveté. energy that nearly took his life then still flows through his Renchi served Shujin Yugami for several months, body to this day! Well, close enough; in fact, he’sand with honor, though his role was seldom more than become a living lightning rod; whenever we encounter athat of a glorified bodyguard. storm, Renchi has to keep well away from the wagons— Renchi’s illusions were shattered nearly a year after wherever there’s lightning, Ronin Thunder is sure to behis arrival, when a band of the stealthy assassins known struck twice!as “ninja” infiltrated his lord’s castle. Renchi stoodagainst the killers, saving the life of his lord and routing Ronin Thunderthe killers—but he alone could not prevent tragedy. As Struck by a force of nature in the moment before hisone assassin fled the Dawn Castle, he came upon death, Renchi Futo now finds the power of lightning hasYugami’s eldest son and heir, moments before he was become one with his life-force. Whether this is due to thepenned in by the shujin’s guards. For pure spite, the Twisting, or the act of even more mysterious forces,assassin slew the child before taking his own life. remains subject to debate. His body attracts electricity; Shujin Yugami exploded with rage, at last dropping whenever a lightning bolt or similar spell is cast withinhis pretense of honor. None of the assassins had allowed 50’ of him, Renchi must make a save vs. wands. If hethemselves to be taken alive, leaving no way to know fails this saving throw, the spell automatically targets himwhich of Yugami’s three brothers had sent them. Yugami (regardless of the caster’s intentions), arcing to strike him.thus ordered his minions—including Renchi—to go out Fortunately, Renchi is all but invulnerable to electricaland slay one of each of his brother’s children. attacks, suffering only 1 hp of damage for each damage This craven order struck Renchi like a thunderbolt. die rolled. For example, a lightning bolt cast by a 7th-Finally perceiving the true nature of his master, Renchi level wizard (thus causing 7d6 damage) would only inflictrefused to perform such an honorless act of murder. 7 points of damage to Ronin Thunder. In addition,Yugami understood that his prized pet had at last slipped whenever Renchi is struck by an electrical attack, eachhis leash, and decided to stamp out this smoldering fire die of damage is converted into a “charge” thatwithout delay. strengthens Renchi’s own electrical field. He has the Yugami informed Renchi that he was bound by honor same effect on natural electricity as well, and so after anyto obey his lord, and to retain his honor he must either thunderstorm Renchi will have gained 1d20 charges (andtake the life of one of Yugami’s nephews, or he must take taken an equal number of points of damage).his own. Devastated, Renchi assented to the order, and Ronin Thunder can use his electrical charge inleft the castle in silence to do what he must. He climbed several ways. First, whenever he strikes a target in meleethe mountain rising above the Dawn Castle as a storm combat (or is struck in melee), he automatically expendsrumbled in the sky, and once atop the peak drew his blade one charge to inflict 1d6 points of electrical damage to histo commit his final act. He obeyed this order not out of opponent. This effect is involuntary, andloyalty to his corrupt lord, but out of shame. He was Renchi must always be careful to keep a safe distancetwice a ronin: first for failing his honorable lord, and from those around him. In a similar fashion, Renchi usesagain for failing himself in his blind allegiance to the up about a charge a day in his act, willing streamers ofShujin of the North. electricity to dance over his scorched armor and weapons. Following the ritual of death, he held the shining Renchi can also use his thunderbolts in a moresteel of his sword aloft, but in the moment before he was directly offensive fashion. By using the ritual techniquesto turn the blade upon himself a bolt of lightning flashed he uses to focus his life-force, Renchi can channel hisfrom the sky, striking the weapon and warrior who energy into a bolt of lightning. For each charge hewielded it! expends, this lightning bolt adds 10’ to its maximum Now, George, this is where we come in. As fate range, inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage, andwould have it, the Carnival was visiting Rokushima

63BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSinflicts 1 point of damage to Renchi himself. He can Step lively, George, and stick close to me. It’s high timechannel a number of charges equal to his Hit Dice into a you went home, and I’ll walk you there myself, just to besingle attack; thus, Renchi’s most powerful thunderbolt sure. While we wander, I’ll tell you who that pale figurehas a maximum range of 70’, inflicts 7d6 points of was, and why our camp is no place for you tonight. Aredamage on his target, and 7 points of damage to himself. in you in the mood for a ghost story? No? Pity, because A common topic of Trouper justice is why Renchi you’re about to hear one.has never sworn allegiance to Isolde, Mistress of the While I was herding you around the big ring, surelyCarnival. Presumably, such an oath would warrant you saw some of our painted, silent Vistani, the Skurra?Renchi’s return to the status of samurai; it is well-known They’re a skurry lot, to be sure. We Troupers aren’t eventhat he considers his current status a disgrace. Sensing sure what they are; some say they’re alive, some claimthe ronin’s ambivalence, Professor Pacali has approached they’re ghosts, and some say they’re neither! Well, allRenchi and attempted to draw him into the fold. that guessing and gossip stops when it comes to the(Professor Pacali and his theories on Isolde’s true identity Nameless One. We all know exactly what he is.are fully detailed in Carnival.) Although Ronin Thunder But I get ahead of myself. It’s best to tell a tale frombelieves the professor’s theories, he has not joined its beginning; that was in the year 744. A Vistani namedPacali’s cause, leading to even more questions and Grigori came to Isolde’s Carnival seeking solace. At thegossip. time, there were only a handful of Skurra, and then as Why Renchi has declined to swear fealty to either now they turned away none of their own kind. GrigoriIsolde or her foes is related to the mystery surrounding donned the Skurra-vera paints, and adopted the life ofthe lightning bolt that led to his current state. While some silence, leaving his name—and his past—behind. It wasmay believe that the dark powers chose to preserve their known that Grigori had been cast out from his tribe, buttoy for future games, Ronin Thunder’s theory is the full reasons behind this act were unknown even to hissomewhat more basic: He believes he is dead. kin.Specifically, he believes that the fateful thunderbolt slew In the years since, we’ve learned more abouthim in a state of dishonor, and that he is now doomed to Grigori’s secrets. All the Skurra had left their tribes forwander in this strange purgatory until the elements that one reason or another, making them what they call mortu,damned him to this fate choose to release him. He a word they insist we never translate correctly. Butbelieves the other Troupers are penitent spirits like Grigori faced a much different form of exile. He had fledhimself, and that Isolde may well be the fiend Pacali his tribe to avoid facing permanent, ritual exile, theportrays her to be. Yet Renchi accepts this, and plays his shalach-ti, the worst fate a Vistani can envision. Had therole, his emotionless face hidden onstage by a scowling ritual taken place, it would have severed Grigori’smask, waiting for the storm that will finally send him to connection to both his tribe and the land, making him intohis ultimate rest. a darkling, a Vistani bogeyman. We still don’t know exactly what he did to earn the Renchi Futo, human male, F7 (samurai): AC 6 wrath of his kin; the Vistani refuse to speak of his kind.(brigandine armor); MV 12; hp 40; THAC0 14 (13 They treat Grigori as if he never existed. Regardless,w/katana); #AT 2; Dmg 1d10+1 (katana); SA electrical Grigori came to Carnival to hide from the justice of hisburst; SD electrical charge; SZ M; ML fanatic (17); Str tribe. And even as Grigori asked the Carnival to take him16, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 15, Wis 13, Cha 9; AL LN in, he could sense his own growing evil gnawing at his Notes: If you use kits in your campaign and have access to The tattered soul.Complete Fighter’s Handbook, Ronin Thunder has all the abilities of Perhaps Grigori hoped to hide from the horror withinthe Samurai kit as detailed in that accessory. Otherwise, considerRonin Thunder a fighter specialized in the katana (alternate: long himself. Perhaps Isolde sensed this spark of repentancesword) and daikyu (alternate: long bow). within Grigori’s heart, explaining why she took no action. Now, George, feast your eyes on our next—wait a The Skurra-vera magic can protect its wearer from manymoment. Do you see that, George? Over there, beyond things, ‘tis true, but it cannot protect the wearer fromMadame Fortuna’s wagon. Yes, the one painted like a threats that fester within. Despite finding this haven,celestial sky. Do you see that figure standing at the edge perhaps despite even Grigori’s own hopes, his descentof the camp, skulking in shadows? Hrmm. Has that night into damnation could not be stopped.come upon us once again? So it has! The curtain has Several months after Grigori became a Skurra, notrisen, and . . . long before my own arrival in fact, the Carnival was camped outside a large town—the name escapes me, and is quite unimportant. The Carnival had been entertainingThe Performance Repeats the Georges there for several days when the local militia marched on the campsite. Those soldiers’ faces were grim, and their weapons were held tight; the Troupers

64 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSfeared an attack, but Isolde advised them to take no white, save for what looks like black tears surrounding hisaction. Isolde’s instincts proved correct, for the militia sunken eyes and streaming down his hollow cheeks.merely presented a distraught couple demanding the Look closer and you see all those little black tears arereturn of their child. They claimed this child had visited actually daggers, silhouettes of the obsidian blade thatthe Carnival two days earlier, and not been seen since. slew him.Many Troupers were outraged by the Georges’ In all the years since his death, the Nameless One hasaccusations, but Isolde again kept them in check. To sought only one thing: to demonstrate his repentance, topreserve the peace, she even allowed the Georges to redeem himself in the eyes of the Carnies and his kin. Hesearch the campsite. That decision alone tells me that she forever seeks to win back a place in the only home hesuspected the Georges were in the right, painful as that knows. Each year, on the very day he died, the Namelessphrase is to say! One returns to the Carnival to exhibit his latest desperate The child was found. Her broken body was stuffed act of redemption. But sadly, for some deeds there can beinto a hidden compartment inside one of the vardos. The no salvation, and when Fortuna invariably refuses hisdiscovery was even more dreadful for the Troupers than it pleas, his foul and rotted core reveals itself again. Somewas for the Georges. The Georges demanded justice, and years, it feels no less rehearsed than my own spiels. It’sthe Troupers began to throw accusations at the silent, all just a repeat performance, and it will repeat again.standoffish Skurra; our beloved Carnival was in danger of So if you’re ever in a bind, George, and you findtearing itself apart. For their part, the Skurra retreated to yourself approached by a silent harlequin with daggers fortheir wagons, looking to their own number to find the tears, be wary. The Nameless One may want to be aguilty party. It didn’t take long. savior, but he’s no saint. It’s not you he wants to save, When the Skurra emerged again, they produced two it’s himself.revelations. The first was that one of their number,Madame Fortuna, had chosen to forgo the protection of The Nameless Onethe Skurra-vera so that her people might have a voice. Full details of the Skurra, Skurra-vera, Madame Fortuna,She defended her kin by producing the second revelation: and the Skurra’s uncertain relationship with death areBlood had been found under Grigori’s nails. Fortuna provided in Chapter Two of Carnival.announced that the Skurra had decided on Grigori’s The Dungeon Master can introduce the Namelesspunishment, and produced the obsidian dagger used in the One whenever the heroes are overwhelmed and facingrite of shalach-ti. destruction. The Nameless One will appear without The fate the Skurra had intended for Grigori is not warning, wordlessly attempting to guide the heroes tothe fate he received. Incensed, the Troupers seized safety. In fact, the Nameless One can easily be added toGrigori and the dagger, ignoring Fortuna’s protests. They any adventure where the goal is primarily to escape thebound him to a post, and on that night Grigori faced the domain and/or minions of a darklord, including Web offull fury of the Carnival’s wrath: The Death of the Illusion, Dark of the Moon, or even House of Strahd.Thousand Knives. The Skurra could not interfere; Isolde If the Nameless One appears, he has chosen to leadwould not interfere. The Georges could scarce deny that the heroes to the safety of Carnival as this year’s act ofjustice had been done, and allowed the Carnival to go on “redemption.” This works particularly well if the playerits way. characters are already on friendly terms with the Carnival. Despite his grisly death, the curtain had not yet fallen The Nameless One always knows Carnival’s currentfor Grigori. One year to the day after his demise, he took location, and can unerringly lead others to itsthe stage again. Perhaps because he died within the campground, even if such a journey requires travelingCarnival’s grounds, his spirit is now forever tied to its through the Mists. So long as the heroes cooperatetravels. Perhaps because he was still wearing the Skurra- with their eerie guide he will act as their protector, but hevera when he breathed his last, death could not find his will brook no interference, not even from those under hisspirit. Whatever the reason, every year since and on the protection. He will ignore initial signs of suspicion, but ifanniversary of his death, he who Madame Fortuna will a character is adamant in his distrust of the mysteriousonly call the Nameless One returns to the Carnival. I was Skurra, and seems likely to sway the others into followingthere to see his first appearance, and I’ve been here every his lead, the Nameless One will try to discretely eliminatetime the performance repeats. this threat to his redemption. He will not hesitate to The Nameless One looks just like any other Skurra— murder one hero to ensure the loyalty of the rest. If theI’m far from convinced that he’s the only ghost among heroes uncover the Nameless One’s betrayal, he willthem—and although no blood flows through those attempt to destroy them all, for fear of his crimesspectral veins, he looks and feels as solid as you or I. becoming known to the Skurra.He’s a gaunt and withered figure, his ethereal bodywasted away by evil. His Skurra-vera mask is bone-

65BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS While accompanying the Nameless One, the heroes him two special powers. First, with a successful attackmay sense that they are being followed, and not just by roll the Nameless can cause paralysis. His victim mustthe evil forces their guide is helping them to avoid. Each successfully save vs. paralyzation at a -2 penalty or beday at dawn and dusk, upon making a Wisdom check a unable to move for 2d4 hours; their limbs will actuallysingle hero should be given the chance to spot a solitary feel as though they have been tightly bound together.figure trailing the group. If the check succeeds, the Alternatively, the Nameless One’s touch can causecharacter catches a momentary glimpse of a skeletal, wounds, also requiring a successful attack roll. Thehooded figure bearing a corroded scythe. However, the victim will feel such a touch as a biting stab wound,heroes can never find this spectre if they go searching for suffering 1d8 points of damage. In addition, there isit. Although the heroes may fear that this grim figure is percentage chance equal to the points of damage inflictedfollowing them, it is in fact an emissary of death in that the attack will leave a vicious scar, reducing theendless pursuit of the Nameless One himself! victim’s Charisma by one point. If the heroes continue to cooperate with their bizarre If the Nameless One is reduced to 0 hp, his etherealbenefactor, he will indeed eventually lead them to body instantly dissipates, but he will always return theCarnival. Although the Troupers will allow the heroes to following year. To send the Nameless One to his finalenter the ring of wagons, stone-faced Skurra stop the rest, the heroes must remove the Skurra-vera paints fromNameless One at the edge of camp. Madame Fortuna his face. This requires the spells remove curse and dispelherself blocks the Nameless One’s path, coldly informing magic be cast on him within one round of each other. Ifhim that he has no place in Carnival; he must move on to the Nameless One’s Skurra-vera is dispelled, he becomeswhere he truly belongs. visible to the death which has blindly sought him for At this rebuke, the Nameless One becomes visibly nearly a decade; a grim reaper immediately appears,enraged. Although he remains utterly silent, heroes with latches on to Grigori’s flailing and shrieking spirit, andthe Lip Reading proficiency can follow as he furiously drags him away to his fate. The performance will repeatinsists that he has done good—that he has saved the lives no more.of Carnival kin. How much good must he do? Howmany lives must he save before he is forgiven? The Nameless One (third-magnitude corporeal ghost): A Skurra relays Grigori’s silent message to Madame AC 4; MV 12; HD 7; hp 32; THAC0 14; #AT 1; DmgFortuna with gestures; Fortuna herself does not seem to 1d8 (cause wounds); SA paralysis; SD +1 or betterbe able to see the Nameless One. Her reply is unyielding: weapon to hit, undead immunities; SV obsidian weapons;“Pah. Your hands are black with evil. You can never SZ M; ML steady (12); Str 9, Dex 15, Con N/A, Int 12,wash them clean.” Wis 11, Cha 6; AL CE; XP 2,000. At this final refusal, Grigori flies into a mad rage, his Personality: paranoid, desperateinner corruption boiling to the surface. His fury turns toviolence, and he aims his first attacks at those he has led Well, George, home again, home again! I do so hopeto safety, the player characters, as if saving their lives was you enjoyed your visit, and I do so hope you’ll let us stay.a wasted effort if it does not help him achieve his own Do please come and visit us tomorrow, but do bringgoals. The Skurra will come to their aid, and experienced coppers so you can pay!heroes should be able to defeat the Nameless One, despite Nhis unusual powers. However, when he is finallydefeated, the heroes may be in for one final shock: As theNameless One suffers a fatal blow, his body fades awayto vapor, leaving nothing behindbut a chill breeze. If the characters were unaware thattheir guide was a spirit, this may prompt horror checks. Grigori, the Nameless One, is a third-magnitudecorporeal ghost, using the classification system providedby Dr. Van Richten. He has all the immunities commonto ghosts, and can only be harmed by magical weapons ofat least +1 enchantment. As a corporeal spirit, etherealfoes gain no special bonuses to combat him. He suffers1d6 damage if struck by holy water, and can be turnedwith a -1 penalty. Obsidian weapons inflict full damage,even if not magical. Grigori’s torturous final moments, tightly boundwhile suffering one stabbing after another, have granted

66 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

ZARDORUS His Trail is Paved with Good Intentions by Daniel Bandera daniel.j.bandera@us.pwcglobal.com

BIOGRAPHY Background Zardorus was born almost forty years ago in the land of

O bsession often leads a soul down the path Darkon to a successful merchant family. At an early age to darkness. Despite the noble goal of he showed a high degree of intelligence, and when of age one man’s quest, his obsession has led he was sent to study at the university of Il Aluk. While he him to take measures that most would find excelled at many subjects, his interests soon turned to the despicable. As the mage Zardorus magical and the macabre. His desire was to learn the continues on his quest, he edges closer secrets of life, so that he could learn how to prolong hisand closer to the darkness of evil. existence and those of his loved ones. Finding his magical tutors too squeamish to delve after the answers heZardorus sought, Zardorus approached a professor who had been expelled by the university. The professor had moved9th-level Necromancer (Deathslayer), from the city to a small hamlet a short distance from townLawful Neutral to continue his studies in seclusion, but Zardorus wasArmor Class 7 Str 11 determined to find a teacher, and so he approached theMovement 12 Dex 17 man.Level/Hit Dice 9 Con9 The professor, Dascampen, was a necromancer, whoHit Points 24 Int 17 studied the secrets of death and the extension of life.THAC0 18 Wis 15 Dascampen agreed to take Zardorus on as an apprentice.Morale 15 Cha11 Over the next two years, as the necromancer’s apprentice,No. of Attacks 1 XP 2,000 Zardorus learned many of the evil magical secrets ofDamage/Attack By weapon necromancy, absorbing this lore with a detached,Special Attacks Spells inquisitive nature. He believed that the experiments heSpecial Defenses Spells carried out in the search for knowledge were not evil orMagic Resistance Nil malign, simply necessary for the furthering of knowledge. During these years, Zardorus believed his master,Appearance Dascampen, shared his beliefs. However, this was not theZardorus is a man approaching middle age, but his hair, case.once dark black but now prematurely gray, and his sickly One night, Zardorus awoke to find himself strappedpallor make him appear much older. His eyes, which to a table with his master standing over him, the only lightonce sparked with an inquisitive nature, are dull black coming from a fiery brazier near his feet. His limbsand appear sunken. His skin has a gray sickly color, and bound, his mouth gagged, he could do nothing ashe is so gaunt that one could count his ribs if Zardorus Dascampen began to perform an arcane ceremony. Afterwere to go bare-chested. This he never does though, and reciting from magical text an enchantment Zardorus didalways wears unadorned brown robes. These robes not recognize, his master removed an iron brand from theconceal a round magical rune that has been branded into brazier. As Dascampen approached with the iron,the center of his chest. Zardorus is very ashamed of this, Zardorus was able to see the end was shaped into a mysticas it reminds him of a horrible, life-altering event from his symbol, one Zardorus knew as the symbol for livingpast. death. His scream was muffled by his gag, as the necromancer pressed the iron against his chest, burning the symbol into his skin above his heart.

67BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS When the pain cleared from his eyes, Zardorus could His focus is always on those creatures that escaped hissee Dascampen unstopping a beaker. The glass contained wrath or those still out there that he has not yet destroyed.a noxious greenish substance that seemed as much Despite the noble ends that Zardorus seeks, hisgaseous as liquid. His master had approached him, and methods are not always acceptable to those of a goodwas unloosening the gag around his mouth, when a mind. As he has become more obsessed with his quest,commotion was heard. he leans closer to evil. He has already killed numerous Seconds later a door was knocked in and the blaring bystanders, caught within the area of effect of his spells.lights of a dozen torches filled the room. The peasants of He may well also consider kidnapping innocents to usethe nearby hamlet had discovered the remains of some of them as bait to draw out undead creatures. As hethe necromancer’s experiments, and together with a band continues down his path, Zardorus’ concern for theof good-aligned priests had come to the necromancer’s welfare of others will decrease more and more.adobe to lynch him. Dascampen lashed out with hisspells, but he had been too concerned with the ceremonyand was unprepared for combat. Personality The mob quickly overwhelmed him. They dragged Zardorus has an obsessive personality. He rarely talksDascampen from the house to a nearby tree, from which about anything but his quest. He judges everyone hehe was hung. As the necromancer died, the priests meets by whether they can help him in his quest or hinderprepared a large pyre and the evil master necromancer’s him. Those that he believes are a great hindrance he maybody was thrown onto it. Meanwhile the peasant mob eliminate. He is ruthless and humorless, never smiling orravaged the necromancer’s home. laughing, always grim. Zardorus was freed by the mob, and the leader of the During his quest, he has developed a hatred for thoseband of priests, mistaking him for an innocent victim, told mortals who raise undead creatures. Any mage he meetsZardorus he had been lucky and was free to go. The is under suspicion. Thus Zardorus never accepts otherpriests healed his wounds but could not removed the mages as acquaintances or companions. Priests are abrand burned into his chest. different story. He hates those evil cultists that deal with Zardorus, feeling confused and betrayed, remained in the undead, but he also hates the good-aligned clerics forthe hamlet, unsure of where to go or how to continue. their weakness in being unable to destroy the undead.Days after the attack, he secretly returned to his master’s Those good-aligned priests that he meets he belittles andabode and went to his master’s secret library. He knew questions their faith. He will shout at any priest thatthe library was hidden too well for the mob to have attempts to turn undead in his presence, as he feels he willdiscovered it, and knew its magical secrets would remain just have to track down the monsters again.intact. There he uncovered Dascampen’s notes, andlearned what his master had planned for him. Dascampen Combatwas experimenting with a process to become a lich, and In combat, Zardorus relies on his spells and his detailedhad meant to test the process on Zardorus to see if it knowledge of the undead. He has adapted manywould work. Horrified by what his master had tried to necromantic spells to help him in his quest against thedo, Zardorus made a decision that changed his life. No undead. As a necromancer he inflicts a -1 penalty on alllonger would he spend his time locked in a laboratory saving throws versus his necromancy spells. Zardorus’seeking unholy secrets. Zardorus vowed to rid the world hatred is strongest against spell using undead and he hasof all undead monsters and those that would create them. studied the liches closely to learn how to destroy them. Taking his master’s spellbooks and research manuals, Liches suffer an additional -2 penalty to saving throws vs.Zardorus began his studies in necromancy anew. This his spells. In addition, thanks to Zardorus’ vasttime Zardorus was searching for the secrets to destroying necrological knowledge, he gains a +2 bonus to saveundead monstrosities, and over the next few years he has against any magical attacks by liches, including both theirdeveloped into a powerful foe against the undead. spells and their paralyzing touch, and a +2 bonus to hit liches in combat. Because of his acute specialization,Current Sketch none of the above penalties, including the typical -1In the years since his former master was killed, Zardorus penalty to saving throws due to his specialization as ahas become a powerful necromancer. He continues his necromancer, are suffered by mortal beings.single-minded obsession to seek out and destroy undead Zardorus can cast the following number of spells peranywhere they can be found. His crusade has taken him day: 1st: 5, 2nd: 4, 3rd: 4, 4th: 3, 5th: 2. In his studiesacross all of the known domains of Ravenloft, and he has into the nature of various undead creatures, Zardorus hasdestroyed numerous undead creatures of all types. modified the various following necromantic spells to beHowever, Zardorus does not dwell on his past successes. of better use in his quest against the undead:

68 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSChill TouchCauses 1d4 points of damage to undead. Living beingstake no damage but must save versus death or flee.

Vampiric TouchDrains undead of 1d6 hit points per two levels of thecaster. The caster gains no hit points, but losses 1 hp foreach die of hp drained from the undead creature. Livingbeings cannot be drained of hit points by this spell.

Spirit Armor(Tome of Magic) In addition to granting AC 4, this spellgrants the same protection as a negative plane protectionspell. However, it offers no AC protection to attacksfrom non-undead creatures.

EnervationThe bolt drains 1 HD for every four levels of the casterfrom one undead creature. The negative energy istransferred into the caster who loses half the levels thatthe target lost, due to the influx of negative energy. Boththe target’s and the caster’s levels return at the end of thespell’s duration.

Animate DeadThis version ends the animate dead spell on zombies orskeletons returning them to an inanimate state. Onecreature is affected for every two levels of the caster.When cast on more powerful undead creatures, it acts as araise dead spell and may destroy creatures that arevulnerable to that spell, such as the wight.

Bone Blight(The Complete Book of Necromancers) This version hasbeen modified to be affective against undead creatures. Itis also contagious and can be spread from one undeadcreature to another, unless a save vs. death magic is madewith a +2 bonus.N

69BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

ARDONK SZERIEZA A Cause Does Not a Hero Make by Stuart Turner stu@kargatane.com

Author’s Note: With thanks to Steve Miller, who Background

introduced this character to us in Domains of Dread. In the year 730, Ardonk was born to a poor family that worked on a farm outside Zeidenburg. Life was hard, as

BIOGRAPHY it was for every family under the reign of Duke Gundar, but Ardonk recalls little of the harshness of that time. What Ardonk does remember, however, is the joy

A rdonk Szerieza is a young ethnic Gundarakite in the domain of Barovia. that came with Gundar’s assassination in 736. One of his While most of his fellow citizens suffer earliest memories is of being carried through the fields of passively under the Barovian boyars and wheat above his father’s head, while his mother danced burgomeisters, Ardonk has taken it upon around them, on the day they learned that the Duke had himself to rise up against his oppressors. been killed. Never had his parents been so happy, butArdonk’s life, however, is at a turning point. As his their joy was unfortunately to be short-lived.determination to liberate his people grows, so does the Though too young to understand the events thatprice he is willing to pay. followed, Ardonk keenly noticed the decline in his parents’ mood over the next years as Strahd annexed theAppearance former Gundarak. Only as he became older did he realize how painfully brief their freedom had been before theAt first sight, most would think of Ardonk Szerieza as tyrant Gundar was replaced by the tyrant Strahd.nothing more than a young scrap of a man. His Ardonk might have lived his life as any otherappearance is unassuming, and not dissimilar from other Gundarakite, if not a tragic occurrence just before theGundarakites; black hair, dark brown eyes, and a thin youth turned eighteen. The despair of his aging and illbeard that belies his young age. He generally wears a father had been growing since the arrival of a particularlypoor quality shirt and brown vest, but if undertaking any cruel and extortionate Barovian boyar, and the family haddangerous activity he will wear a leather vest that he stole little money left with which to buy any food at all.from a Barovian under his shirt. Ardonk had been working hard in the field, desperately attempting to meet the boyar’s unreasonable demands forArdonk Szerieza produce, and returned home late in the evening. Unable to find his father, he eventually looked in the stable—to3rd-Level Human Thief, Neutral find his father swinging slowly from the ceiling by hisArmor Class 8 Str 10 neck. Two days later, his mother was found downstream,Movement 12 Dex 16 apparently having drowned herself after discovering herLevel/Hit Dice 5 Con11 husband’s suicide.Hit Points 22 Int 15 For more than a year, Ardonk continued to work onTHAC0 18 Wis 11 the farm, satisfying the demands of the boyar that he nowNo. of Attacks 1 Cha17 hated with all the emotion he could bring to bear. AsDamage/Attack By weapon time went on, however, he found himself directing hisSpecial Attacks Nil frustration not only at the Barovian taskmasters, but alsoSpecial Defenses Nil at his own father. If only he hadn’t been so weak, heMagic Resistance Nil thought, he wouldn't have given in so easily to the boyar.Thief Abilities PP 20 OL 65 F/RT 25 RL 0 Thinking of the fragment of joy he remembered from his MS 30 HS 30 DN 15 CW 60 childhood, he realized that hope for the return of such a

70 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSday was useless without action. He realized that unless sides. To date he has only met Gabrielle once, at whichsomeone decided to take a stand, their lives would remain time she hinted at her longer-term plans to play each ofunchanged for eternity. their respective enemies against one another. The following evening, Ardonk fled the farm and Ardonk is yet to act on this idea, but is beginning todisappeared into the Barovian night. He gathered support push the concept among his fellow rebels. Many of themfrom other disenchanted young men, and began planting are a little concerned about his zealousness, however, andthe seeds of rebellion among the Gundarakites. doubt whether inciting a war with Malocchio of Invidia Since then, he has gradually built up a secret network could be of benefit to their people.of contacts and supporters around Zeidenburg andTeufeldorf. Isolated, and seemingly random incidents ofviolence between Gundarakites and Barovians have been Personalitysparked as a result of his actions, and more than one When Ardonk first fled his farm and began to workBarovian boyar has suffered, either physically or against the Barovians, his heart was full of noblefinancially, due to Ardonk’s agitation of the people intentions. He wanted to lift the status of theagainst Lord Strahd. Gundarakites to be the equal of the Barovians, or to expel Strahd’s lackeys and let his people experience freedom as they did after the death of Duke Gundar.Current Sketch Ardonk’s motives have not changed in the yearsArdonk’s five years of struggle against the Barovian since, but his approach to success most definitely has. Asoccupation has produced significant results. He now has his frustration has grown at the lack of real results, thearound seventy known safe houses throughout the price he is willing to pay for victory has also grown.domain, where he can meet with fellow conspirators. The Whereas the Ardonk of 19 years would have been loatheactivities of Ardonk and his rebels vary enormously, from to put any of his associates at risk, his recent actions havethe burning of a wealthy Barovian’s stables, to providing resulted in the death of several Gundarakites (includingassistance to families made destitute under the extreme the stunt against the boyar Ivan Szimin—see the articletaxation laws, to actual incitement of violence between “The Effigy of Ivan Szimin” for more details).ethnic Barovians and Gundarakites. Increasingly, he sees these deaths as an appropriate The Barovian laws against weapon ownership among sacrifice for the good of his people, and a necessary one ifGundarakites have greatly limited their military power, they are ever to discover true freedom again.but this has not proven a significant problem. Most of the Ardonk is therefore a much more bitter person thanactions taken by the rebels are largely covert or he was five years ago. Listeners are struck by themanipulative, rather than confrontational. Ardonk is well intensity with which he speaks, and the seriousness withaware that he would require a massive wellspring of which he presents his plans. He rarely smiles when doingsupport before any sort of violent rebellion could ever “business,” yet remains incredibly persuasive.take place, so he prefers subtler tactics. Ardonk has a growing intolerance of those In recent times, Ardonk has become increasingly Gundarakites unwilling to support his cause. In manyfrustrated. He has found that the people’s fear of their ways, he sees Gundarak’s current condition as the fault ofoverlords has greatly limited his audience. While nearly those men and women who seem so willing to let tyrantsall Gundarakites will express a profound hope that a day rule their lives without question. Similarly, he iswill come when they are free of tyranny, Ardonk has disdainful of the Cult of the Morninglord. He sees theirfound that surprisingly few are willing to act on that hope, dependence on a god to act on their behalf as somethingpreferring to believe that the Morninglord will bring that that only perpetuates their current subservience.day to them. Even among those who do actively supporthis actions, Ardonk has discovered that many turn towater in the face of authority and are ineffective when Combatreal action is required. Prohibited by Barovian law from possessing any weapon Increasingly, Ardonk has found his thoughts turning larger than a dagger, Ardonk is not terribly effective inelsewhere for support against the boyars and combat. This is not usually a problem, however, as heburgomeisters. Through his contacts, he has learned that largely avoids direct confrontation, preferring toCastle Hunadora, lying within the Invidian-occupied manipulate events from a distance. When forced to enterportion of his homeland, has become the headquarters of combat, he uses a simple dagger. In potentiallya group of rebels who oppose the tyrant Malocchio dangerous situations, he will always wear his leatherAderre. Ardonk believes that an alliance between his jerkin to protect himself, which improves his AC by 1.amateur militia and the rebels, led by Malocchio’s own Ardonk is, however, quite adept at thievery, asmother Gabrielle Aderre, could be of benefit to both reflected in his skills listed above. N

71BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

MOCELLUS Undeath in the Desert by Daniel Bandera daniel.j.bandera@us.pwcglobal.com

BIOGRAPHY Mocellus Raaig, 10th-Level Cleric, Chaotic Evil

T he past of Athas is filled with blood and Armor Class 0 Str N/A death. The Cleansing Wars, begun by Rajaat the Destroyer, attempted to Movement 9, Fl 18 (B) Dex N/A exterminate many sentient races. One elf Level/Hit Dice 10 ConN/A who joined this genocidal crusade was Hit Points 47 Int 9 Mocellus of Waverly. Centuries later, he THAC0 13 Wis 14continues to carry out his demented plans. No. of Attacks 1 Cha9 Morale 17 XP 5,000 Damage/Attack 1d8+2 or by weaponAppearance Special Attacks Cause disease, spellsAs a raaig (DARK SUN® MONSTROUS COMPENDIUM Appendix Special Defenses Immune to sleep, charm, or holdII) Mocellus’ elven heritage is no longer recognizable. magic, poison and paralyzation; +1He appears dressed in the tattered remains of his priestly or better to be hit; spellsrobes. The robes, once a dark crimson, are now Magic Resistance Nilblackened by soot, and their remnants cling to Mocellus’body. A ceremonial cloak remains tied around his neck, A few years later, a former citizen of Waverlywith the hood thrown back to expose Mocellus’ horrid returned to the city. Known as Uyness, she had become aface. His head is skeletal, with no flesh remaining. His champion of Rajaat, the Destroyer. She asked the citizenseyes are two glowing orange spots. His entire body is to join her in a campaign to wipe the plague of orcs fromsurrounded by red-black flames to a distance of three feet. the face of Athas. The people of Waverly readily agreedA mace, which he never uses, is strapped to his side. A and formed an army to join Uyness’ crusade. The warherald on the back of his cloak is the symbol of the evil went well for the army of Waverly, but they soon faced anentity he worshipped. But it is too marred, as if by unexpected problem. During the war many orcsflames, to be identified. surrendered and were taken captive, and Uyness ordered her forces to kill any captured orcs. While the citizens ofBackground Waverly were willing to kill orcs in battle, it was against their ethical beliefs to kill the old, the young, and theMocellus lived during the Green Age of Athas, in the city wounded who surrendered to them.of Waverly, now long since buried by desert sands. He Learning of the city’s dilemma, Mocellus sensed anbelonged to a cult that worshipped an evil being they opportunity for his cult to gain prestige, and secretlycalled Nezjan. The doctrine of Nezjan required the daily approached the city’s leaders. He told the leaders that hesacrifice of a sentient being. The cult operated in secret would take the orc prisoners and dispose of them, usingfor many years in Waverly, until it was discovered and the orcs as sacrifices in his ceremonies. Thoughdriven from the city by a mob of outraged citizens. disgusted by Mocellus and his evil beliefs, the leadersDuring the turmoil, the mob killed many of the cult were glad to have found a solution to their problemmembers, including the leader. In the wake of this attack, before Uyness discovered the prisoners. Thus theyMocellus took control of the handful of survivors and led agreed to the proposition and began sending capturedthem into hiding. In a small cave not far from the city, orcish males, females, and children to Mocellus to bethey tried to continue their worship. sacrificed on his bloody altar to Nezjan.

72 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS Over time Nezjan’s altar was drenched in orcish madness. He has lost all concept of time and stillblood, but Mocellus did not believe the evil entity could believes he is living in ancient Waverly. Mocellus canbe pleased by receiving only filthy orcish blood. He remember little of his life or the centuries that havebegan to kidnap humans from Waverly for sacrifice. His passed since then. His memory is very weak, and he hasdealings with the town leaders had led the citizens of trouble remembering events that happened only daysWaverly to tolerate Mocellus, so he no longer had to before. Opponents that escape from Mocellus’ clutchesconceal his presence, allowing him to stalk his chosen will be forgotten in a week’s time.victims unmolested. He does remember his death, and believes his undead Despite the years of sacrifices and devotion to state is a blessing from Nezjan. Mocellus hates theNezjan, the evil entity never answered Mocellus’ pleas people of Waverly, whom he believes have rejectedfor power. Eventually, Mocellus reasoned that his evil Nezjan and himself, and he weaves unrealistic, unobtain-god could only be satisfied by the purest blood: elven able plots to destroy the city, such as drowning it in theblood, that of his own kind. Soon, elves began Silt Sea, or destroying it in a massive sand storm. Hisdisappearing in Waverly. diseased mind confuses Kalidnay with Waverly, and his In time, Mocellus’ bloody deeds were discovered by schemes are now aimed against the citizens of Kalidnay.an elven soldier who was escorting captured orcs to Although Mocellus can still speak, he rarely does so.Mocellus’ cave. In a refuge pile, he recognized a bracelet However, like all raaigs, Mocellus has the innate power tohis missing sister had worn. When he reported this, the communicate with any intelligent creature, and thus cancity was outraged. A mob formed, this time led by the speak and understand the languages of any who trespasselven soldier and his comrades. They attacked the shrine into his lair.and killed Mocellus’ acolytes. The mob then tiedMocellus to the bloodied altar of Nezjan, and set theblasphemous pair on fire. That night, Mocellus rose from Combatthe fire’s smoldering ashes as a raaig. Anyone closing within 3’ of Mocellus suffers 1d4 points of damage from the flames that surround him. With a successful attack, Mocellus’ touch causes 1d8+2 points ofCurrent Sketch damage, and the victim must save vs. spell. If the saveMocellus still haunts the cave that contained the altar to fails, the dark flames surrounding the raaig spread to theNezjan. Over a millennium later, when Kalidnay was victim. The victim takes 2d6 points of damage eachtransported into Ravenloft, the Mists captured Mocellus’ round until he successfully saves vs. spell, whichlair as well and deposited it in the new domain. Now his extinguishes the flames.cave lies on the edge of that domain, overlooking the Silt Since his entrance into Ravenloft, Mocellus has beenSea. Mocellus is linked to the altar, and he cannot move able to casts spells as a 10th-level cleric. It is likely thatmore than a mile from it in any direction. the dark powers grant Mocellus’ spells, since the evil Those approaching within half a mile of Mocellus’ deity Nezjan never actually existed. In addition, once percave can hear faint chanting in a strange language. day Mocellus can cast a special version of animate deadApproaching the cave, the curious will find Mocellus on the remains of any sacrificial victims in his cave. Theprostrated before a blood-soaked altar. Mocellus will spell only lasts until the next sunrise, when the undeadrealize there are trespassers present in moments and turn creatures will collapse into a pile of silt. The animatedinvisible. He then warns the visitors in a whispery, dead will serve Mocellus faithfully, but are bound to thecracked voice that death has come for them and doom of same area as he.all the citizens of Waverly. If the trespassers do not flee As a raaig, Mocellus can become invisible and/orat once, Mocellus attacks them with all his powers. ethereal at will. While ethereal, he cannot be harmed. Mocellus also continues his quest for blood. He Even when in corporeal form, he can only be wounded byattacks travelers that pass near his lair, attempting to drag +1 or better magical weapons. However, non-magicala victim back to his altar for sacrifice. He prefers elves weapons crafted by elven smiths will harm Mocellusover any other, and will not kill an elf in combat if he can while he is corporeal. He is immune to sleep, charm,capture him and bring the poor elf back to his bloody hold, poison, and paralyzation. Holy water and holyaltar for sacrifice. symbols do not affect him. A raise dead spell will destroy Mocellus if he fails aPersonality save vs. spell. Unlike most undead Mocellus is not immune to cold-based attacks. In fact, he is unusuallyYears of service to an evil entity weakened Mocellus’ vulnerable to such attacks, taking an additional +1 per diegrip on reality. With his transformation into unlife and of damage from any cold-based attack. Nhis centuries of existence, his mind has deteriorated into

“Sugar and spice, and everything nice; her coffin as she exited it, Merilee called over her newest ghoul, and bid him bury the simple wooden box.that’s what little girls are made of.” Between stitches in her newest doll’s dress, she watched —Old English Proverb carefully as he left just enough room for her to enter the coffin as mist. He would do well, as would the other fishermen who had found her on the beach yesterdayINTRODUCTION morning. Their blood now warmed her body,3 just as their corpses served her purposes. After all, they had

T he Isle of Agony in Lamordia boasts an offered to help . . . assortment of terrors that would have the With everyone in their positions, she gave them a immortal vampire cowering in fear, yet quick mental lecture on the price of failure,4 and then one of the most diabolical of the isle’s prepared for her part. The annoyance of lacking a fiends is neither stitched together nor reflection to check her appearance failed to bother horrendous to behold. She has retained Merilee, for she would merely be going for the scared andall her pieces in pristine condition, just as the day she ragged look tonight. Just for effect, she had the ghoulsdied, over 150 years ago. Somewhere on the shores of start back about another thirty feet, so that she had to runthe Sea of Sorrows, a little girl might wash ashore, cold through the mud and brambles before starting up the hill.and wet, in search of a home, a family, and a bite to eat . .. N N N

Little Girl Lost “There’s at least four out here!”

Gest Banniker pulled his musket off the wall andThe last light of the sunset was sifting down through the moved toward the window. Unlike most of the otherelm and maple trees surrounding the countryside inn residents of Dementlieu, the finely-muscled innkeeperknown as “C’est Si Bon.” As she opened her coffin, was familiar with ghouls, those carrion-feeding wretchesMerilee noted that her ghouls had already finished the that walked the fields and byways of the homeland he hadmodifications on her new doll and were now working onthe pit traps.1 She moved to the doll collection beingtended by a more experienced ghoul and sent her bat to through its eyes, making it an excellent spy, but it is also acatch up on its sleep.2 Allowing the tiny creature to enter liability in combat. Merilee has trained the bat to move quietly and hide from observers. Should the bat be engaged in combat, consult the RAVENLOFT MONSTROUS COMPENDIUM I & II for1 Merilee is capable of commanding undead as a Mature statistics, under Bat, Ravenloft. 3vampire; up to 88 hit dice of them at one time. She prefers “Waste not, want not” is a philosophy Merilee follows quiteghouls for their reproductive ability and relatively high well. She often allows her ghouls to feast on those she hasintelligence, assigning them many tasks that she has a hard time drained of blood to prevent them becoming vampires. Otherperforming herself for lack of size, stature and strength. She times she will drink a little from a paralyzed victim before thehas developed a system for maximizing their limited ghouls convert the unfortunate into one of them. 4intelligence, such that ghouls in her command fight with Merilee enforces strict discipline. Knowing that the mainexcellent teamwork and coordination. Treat her ghouls as very liability of her more intelligent servants is their insatiableintelligent trained animals for an idea of what they are capable hunger, she makes it abundantly clear that any ghoul who evenof. “tastes” a victim without her say-so is going to become the main2 Merilee’s sentinel bat is a baby bat that is nearly identical to course at the next available opportunity. She enforces this rulethe underdeveloped form that she takes. Merilee can see strictly, and has a remarkably disciplined cadre of ghouls.

74 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSleft years ago. And unlike the pathetic sops who dwelt in “I think she must be in shock, poor thing,” mumbledthe lands of Necropolis, Gest wasn’t afraid to challenge Lysha Paddington, a young woman from Falkovnia with athe dead for the lands of the living. While the majority of child of her own.his guests began to panic, Banniker was going into action. “Absolutely,” agreed Myrta Blethins, the bossy His musket took down one flesh-eater, and just as he matron from Mordent. “We mustn’t do anything to upsetexpected, the remainder paused to snack before her.”8continuing toward the house.5 On his signal, Jean “Well, from the few questions she answered, she’sd’Uarde took careful aim and fired his belt pistol, probably not near family,”9 Jean noted.maiming one of the creatures. The rest continued their “Well, we can’t help her much tonight. She can sleepfeast as the musket fired again, felling another. With two in our room,” said Myrta, “and tomorrow we’ll take herdown and two distracted, Banniker handed the musket to into town to see if anyone there can help her.”his steward, Janus, and headed out with an axe. All present murmured their assent around the table,10 Crossing the room toward the door, he was called though Gest and Janus exchanged looks at the thought ofback by the cry of Elbert Blethins, up on the stairway. someone volunteering C’est Si Bon for a charity case. “Where’d that girl come from?!” Speculation continued about where the ghouls must have Sure enough, Gest tore open the door to see a little come from—obviously some group of the slavering beastgirl running, stumbling up the hill, pursued by two more had wandered away from the Necropolitan border. Suchghouls. She was screaming for help as she ran, nearly out things certainly didn’t come from Dementlieu.of breath, to the high fence where his dogs were kept. Gest and Janus retired from the table shortly after theExcited by the prospect of fresh meat, the nearer ghouls halfling cook had served dessert. Their business tookdropped their grisly feast and moved in again. them into Janus’ office, where, with nobody to hear Banniker tore open the gate and called his dogs back them,11 he related the latest reports of their assets to hiswith a word, then pulled the hysterical girl inside. The master.gate was slammed shut and Gest waited for the ghoulfollowing her until it was clawing at the gate. It was 8 According to the DUNGEON MASTER Guide, vampires can givehalfway over when Gest beheaded it and kicked the body mental commands to their charmed victims without using anyback. Each ghoul that came to dine on their fallen sort of vocal signal. Merilee uses this ability to carefully plantcomrade received the same treatment, until four corpses words in people that are not out of character, but are what shelay by his fence. He hadn’t intended for them to get so wants them to say. Unless the remark is truly out of characterclose, but as it was, the bodies would simply have to be or uses knowledge the victim didn’t have access to, most people will not even notice anything unusual, even when it happens todragged away from the house before burning. them. The bodies were burned in the woods that night, and, 9 Merilee will often play a distraught child, giving only vagueas Banniker had predicted, no others arrived afterward. details of her situation and counting on those who hear to makeBy that time the fire was lit, the belated dinner was on the assumptions, which they often do. This allows her to buildtable, and the guests had dismissed their encounter as a extremely believable lies.curiosity altogether, except, of course, for the girl. Her 10 Unlike a normal charm, which creates feelings of strongname, once she gave it, was Elizabeth Ann Farmington,6 friendship, Merilee’s powerful charm attaches to memories ofand she was from Mordentshire. Every effort to get her to childhood, parenthood, and innocence, such that her victimseat was rebuffed,7 and she kept mumbling about her often see her as one of their own children, or perhaps a littledaddy. The sight was nearly enough to drive the men to sibling. For this reason, while her victims may not die for her iftears, for they had all seen her break into hysterics at the she asks, most would sacrifice themselves for Merilee if she is threatened.sight of one of the bodies, the freshest ghoul there. Her Saves against Merilee’s charm ability are at the standard -father’s fate was obvious, but still she continued to cry for 2 for vampiric charm, with and additional -2 penalty forhim. Merilee’s apparent innocence. Additionally, the DM may wish to add penalties for those with strong parental feelings, or remove Merilee’s bonus for those who are more familiar with5 At certain times when her ghouls are supposed to act as her vampiric nature.“normal” ghouls, Merilee releases her hold on them and they 11 One of the uses of gaseous form is that while one is spreadreturn to their natural tendencies. In such cases they are out so thin as to be effectively invisible, senses are extendedindistinguishable from “normal” ghouls, at least by behavior. throughout, allowing for monitoring in multiple rooms of a6 Merilee has many aliases that she goes by, but the most house, for example. Extension of the gaseous form requirescommon are Elizabeth Ann and her pen name, T. LaMark. heavy concentration, however; only one conversation can be7 While Merilee can drink, eating has been difficult for her. She monitored at any time. In addition, extending the gaseous formhas made an art form out of finding excuses to avoid eating. In is at the normal rate for gaseous form movement. Combinedsituations where she feels it necessary, she may be able to hold with the daytime excursions of a sentinel bat, no secret is safedown solid food for 1d10 minutes. from Merilee for long.

75BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS “Well, I had my doubts about this new of thick, black smoke streaming from the nearby woods.arrangement—” Janus began. Clicking her tongue in motherly fashion, with a glance at “Which you have already expressed. I told you, the other folk who stood staring at this poignant sight,we’ve had no reports from the rest of the Kargat, and in Myrta Blevins took the girl under her arm and led hersuch situations I am left to my discretion.” away from thoughts of her lost father.13 Janus, not as young as he used to be and never onefor confrontation, raised his hands in placating gesture N N Nand nodded his agreement. “Of course, I was only saying—” Janus noted his The “kiss goodnight” Merilee had given to Elbertemployer’s grim demeanor and changed the subject. “I’ll and Myrta contained enough soporific14 to deepen theirneed to recharge your ring soon, master.” sleep while she fed, turned to mist, and left to do her It wasn’t the change in subject that adjusted Gest’s work. Not wanting to leave them too weak, she resistedmood for the better. It was that word, “master,” that did sating her full desire for blood in their room, choosingit. Janus was a sniveling little wizard who had accepted instead to take a visit to Lysha and her little boy,lycanthropy to cure his typhoid seven years ago, and Sardion.15 Apparently Lysha was disguising Sardion’salong with that gift had come indenture to Gest. Gest identity by having him appear sick—a ruse familiar towould never let Janus forget that it was he, not Janus, who Merilee. Dipping a finger into the vial of powerfulspoke for and represented the Kargat. soporific that had been concealed inside her doll,16 “Not while the husband and wife are here,” hemurmured. “Jean and Lysha are bound to keep whatsecrets they learn of us to themselves, lest we alert theauthorities to their location.” advantage is that it allows her to find an out-of-the-way area Janus made a note in his book after a momentary and claim to have been there all the time.hesitation. 13 Merilee will often pretend to be a traumatized child in some “Oh, yes,” he said, something in the book catching way or another, as this is a ready explanation for her coldness,his attention, “Lysha hasn’t paid us the extra amount that “anemia,” inability to eat, and need to sleep at strange times.you demanded for not revealing her child’s half-elven Even more, this allows her room to make strange requests andnature.” He paused at this, with an expectant look at actions without them seeming “out of character” for a child.Gest. Finally, this prevents extensive probing into her background. “She claims that she has nothing else to pay with,” “Rescuers” are far more likely to try to keep her mind off her apparent troubles than dredge up bad memories.Gest agreed. “Have Coinfumble go through her 14 With decades to dedicate to her craft, Merilee has become anbelongings tomorrow while cleaning, and see if that’s accomplished herbalist and poisoner. She can create extremelytrue. If so, perhaps I can make arrangements for an potent sleep poisons, and she often coats her lips with themalternative form of payment.” before an innocent-seeming kiss goodnight. The onset time is Janus wanted to comment that the woman was slowed by the fact it is a contact poison, but this is offset by themarried, and would object to the form of payment that fact that the blood vessels of the head and neck promote rapidGest usually asked women for, but then, he knew what the circulation. In essence, victims of this poison must save vs.response would be: She was a refugee, hiding here with poison or fall asleep within 4-11(1d8+3) minutes. If Merilee isnobody to help her. Fleeing from Falkovnia, the woman using this before feeding, as she often does, this poison merelyhad probably had to “pay” some soldier in a similar adds a -4 to the save vs. poison that must be made in order to awake during feeding (see Van Richten’s Guide to Vampires,manner to get here in the first place. Even then, they pg. 58). As always, a failed save means she can feed at leisuredidn’t even know that her story was true; perhaps she had while the victim sleeps.made up her marriage to an elven man to avoid Jean’s 15 As a Mature vampire, Merilee would require 11 hp of bloodadvances. Such marriages were certainly rare enough, per day. With her “childlike” appetite, however, this is loweredespecially in Falkovnia. to 6. Her incredible discipline and willpower allow her to take The two finished the remainder of their business in tiny amounts from a number of sources. By far, her favoritesilence and Banniker headed back to the dining room. victims are children like herself, but she feeds from them rarelyThere he found his guests looking around for Elizabeth, because of the frequency of death. Even a nonfatal feeding willwho was subsequently found outside,12 staring at the line often make a child so weak so as to be bedridden for a day. Only Merilee’s discipline keeps her from killing the children she feeds from.12 16 Another advantage of gaseous form is that when dispersed Below are standard contents for a small doll (usually a softthrough multiple rooms of a house or other area, Merilee can rag doll, sometimes wood) or a large doll (usually wood andchoose to “regroup” at any point. The cost of this is that it cloth, sometimes ceramic). Merilee uses these dolls to concealtakes at least twice as long for Merilee to disperse and regroup whatever would be “out of character” for an innocent little girl.as it would take to travel somewhere in gaseous form. The Small Doll: 2 poisoned darts, small vial of poison, 2d4 gp.

76 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSMerilee carefully sedated the pair with a drop on their simply a werewolf. She pulled out a cloth bag fromskin before feeding. Merilee relished the taste of child’s inside her doll and looked around for Coinfumble’sblood, knowing that Lysha would not be able to tell breakfast recipes. Adding tiny amounts of finely groundanyone anything even if she thought something was wolfsbane to the ingredients of several breakfast dishes,amiss—after all, Sardion was supposed to be sick. she took her time mixing in the powder so it would never Having fed sparingly on four people, Merilee could be noticed, not even by a halfling connoisseur. Then shenow put her mind to her task. Between what she had seen tucked the bag back inside her doll, turned into mist, andthrough her sentinel bat over the past few days, and what flowed into the woods to talk to her lackeys.she had heard while gaseous, Gest had been quite busy. Merilee liked ghoul and human assistants for variousRumors from Necropolis held that he had been attacked reasons. Humans had the skills and the creativity to beby a rival in the Kargat who knew of his lycanthropy, very helpful, if they could be manipulated. Ghouls, onusing both silver and wolfsbane, but these attacks had the other hand, could be refreshing to work with, if such aproven ineffective. Still, she wanted to verify this for term could be used about the reeking, rotten corpses sheherself. During the past week, her sentinel bat had ordered around. Undoubtedly, they could be aobserved Gest’s careful avoidance of silver, to the point refreshment compared to humans, for one simplethat he let Janus actually handle the coins whenever quality—they did as they were told.money changed hands. Merilee suspected this was Indeed, her sentinel bat was being well cared for, thefeigned, but she would find out soon enough. pit traps had been dug all around the area, and her second Reassuming gaseous form, she slipped silently coffin had been delivered, along with four more ghouls todownstairs to the kitchen, noting the doorway to the back carry it. Not bad, considering that she only had tworooms where Misra Coinfumble slept. Eavesdropping ghouls left after the assault on the inn. She had decidedhad confirmed rumors that the halfling thief had been to call four more ghouls and another coffin fromcaptured and infected by Gest after she botched picking Chateaufaux,18 rather than turn the rest of the C’est Sihis pocket in Martira Bay. He had forced her to assume Bon’s guests into replacement ghouls. Not only wouldher current surname as a constant reminder to the little the psychological effect of being attacked by them be lostthief whose pride needed no reminders. Misra was too on a killer like Banniker, but all five guests would becowardly to directly oppose her master and not clever more useful in other capacities—for now . . .enough to come up with an indirect form of combat, but Merilee turned her thoughts to the wolfsbane, plusstill Merilee knew that with some help, the little thief the silver mace and dagger that lay in her coffin. She hadcould get her revenge. always doubted their effectiveness as weapons, but now Stowing the information away for later, Merilee she had more confidence in an alternative role. Stowingclambered up on the halfling’s ladder and took a look them in the bag, she shifted to gaseous form and returnedthrough cupboards, making a mental inventory17 of all the to the inn.spices they had—or didn’t. The halfling cook was the Minutes later, Merilee was back in the woods withreason they had named their inn “It’s So Good” in Jean’s bullet molds and several silver and copper coins.Dementlieur, but her skill in the culinary arts could prove Making bullets was tedious work, and now she had timea liability if her well-stocked stores were conspicuously to reflect on the evidence she had gathered. She had nolacking any spices. Of the few things missing, one stood doubt now that Gest was no werewolf. His strong bodyout, backing up Merilee’s suspicions about Gest. Just odor was the final clue, as distinctive as it was. Hisbefore climbing back down, Merilee took a second look avoidance of coins was not feigned, however. A heavyat the anise, which had been far in the back, covered in dose of the sleep drug had allowed her to test Banniker’sdust. The thought struck her again that she was on to skin for an allergy, and the rash should be gone by thesomething. end of the night for sure. She could have killed him Once again, she stowed the knowledge away for tonight, but now she was confident that she could use thislater. For now she would make certain Gest wasn’t 18 Considering that she destroyed Keesla while the two were Large Doll: All of the above, plus one of the following: 10 traveling, and knowing the difficulties in traveling as a vampire,charges of gunpowder, small firearm, 1d4 vials of poison, signal Merilee takes a lot of precautions. First, at any time, she has atmirror, map/document. least three coffins or other such areas for sleep. A day’s travel17 Merilee’s memory is so excellent she can recite entire books behind her, you will find her underlings digging up her lastfrom memory with only a few minor errors. She believes that coffin and preparing to ship it to another location. When shethis feature is a side effect of being transformed as a child; her knows where she is headed next, she always has a coffin buriedbrain was in a state of development that should have come to a somewhere in the area at least three days in advance, and thereclose in adulthood. Instead, her mind continued to grow at the are always servants watching it. Thus, there is always onerapid rate of a child’s over the decades. This may also explain coffin in front, one behind, and one where she is currentlyher high Intelligence and Wisdom scores. staying.

77BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSweakness to his disadvantage at any time, and get a much in her blankets just beneath the window,21 Elizabethbetter payoff. hugged her doll all the tighter, and fell asleep again. Her biggest curiosities now were the ring Gest As planned, Myrta and Elbert prepared to take thewore—which apparently protected him from her charm girl into town. She went along willingly, even cheerily,ability—and how well he controlled his bloodlust. The and once outside in the midmorning sun, she even ranring must have been a gift from the Kargat for his ahead, skipping down the path into the copse of treesassignment to the area. That would have to be dealt with. ahead of them. She loved riding with Elbert and Myrta inFrom her examination of Janus’ notes, the mind shielding the cab, her cold fingers wrapped around the old woman’seffect was constant, but the ring could also be enchanted as if they were mother and child. However, no soonerwith the ability to detect charms. From what she had were they around the first bend from the inn than Merileeseen, Gest used it on everyone when they first arrived, began to be sick, running to the bushes to throw up.which would prevent him from catching on to her actions. “I better go back,” she told them after a moment.22He doubted that he even used it on her when she arrived, After a momentary disagreement, Myrta agreed thatbut even so, it obvious why the Living Brain had selected they could ask around in town on her behalf just as easilyher for this job.19 without her. Elbert began to turn the carriage around, but She carefully showed the ghouls how to use the bullet Elizabeth was already walking back to C’est Si Bon onmold, woke her sentinel bat, and slipped back to C’est Si the road, so they kept going as they had. No sooner wereBon. There was a long day coming, and she needed to they out of sight but she dissolved into mist and floatedpractice to be ready for her part. into the shady woods.

N N N N N N “Look at her; she must have been so exhausted,” Safe in her coffin, Merilee could continue to keepMyrta Blethins whispered to her husband. “I wonder if tabs on the humans through her sentinel bat, whichshe’ll eat anything this morning.” She nudged the tiny awakened her every few hours to report. Lysha’sgirl awake, the little grey eyes blinking as Elizabeth belongings had been searched, revealing the silverlooked back at the grandmotherly woman. weapons that Lysha had no idea were there. With a little “Breakfast is ready!” prompting from Merilee, Jean was on hand to confess that Elbert stood behind them, waiting patiently as his the weapons were his.23 Once he was alone with Lysha,wife did what she loved best. Once the girl was fullyawake,20 the three of them headed downstairs. Elizabethstayed away from windows, still sluggish, and excused 21 As a Mature vampire, Merilee can tolerate one minute in theherself quickly halfway through breakfast. She took a sun without taking damage, assuming she makes the initial saveplate of Coinfumble’s wonderful pancakes and sausage to vs. petrification required to enter it (see footnote #26). She hasher room, saying she still wanted to sleep. Nestling down refined a talent for looking like she’s in sunlight, when she’s not. A common trick is to be seen at morning or evening, in the long shadow of the setting or rising sun, even walking through it briefly, but keeping contact to a minimum. As long as she has19 Merilee sells her services to many of Ravenloft’s villains and a doll (see footnote #27), she can even sleep in such a situation,darklords. She is a very professional person who usually does at least until the shadow moves. 22more than she is asked and requests small favors in return. Her One of the greatest annoyances about being considered aimmunity to mind control, poison, and death magic make her child is that somebody is always watching you. Where otheravailable as an agent for/against Dominic d’Honaire, the Living vampires can go off alone, Merilee is often followed or guardedBrain, the lords of Borca, Ghastria, or even Strahd himself. by those concerned with her safety. While she could orderWhile she does not take on fool’s errands, it is possible to use charmed protectors to leave her alone, this would certainly alerther as a servant of just about any villain in a given campaign. them to something strange the moment the charm wears off. To(Note that this does not mean that she will back both sides of a avoid embarrassment, then, Merilee often uses elaborate rusesconflict. Merilee will usually side with one or the other, to such as the one in this example. 23prevent unfortunate misunderstandings.) Merilee often coordinates the telepathic charm power20 Like other vampires who can be awakened during the day, mentioned in footnote #9 with the spying actions of her sentinelMerilee suffers some disorientation that is usually passed off as bat. This allows her to bypass the normal weakness of vampiricgrogginess. There is a full minute where she can take no action, control, which is that a charmed servitor outside of theand another 1d4 where she can not use shapechanging or vampire’s senses cannot be given instructions how to react to agaseous form. If awakened by someone who thinks her mortal, new situation. This also allows her to direct her ghoulshowever, she will often feign sleep (deliberately breathing in strategically from afar, by using her bat as a spy. Note that ifand out, etc.) and then feign some grogginess at the appropriate she is asleep, the bat will only wake her up to do this in antime. obvious emergency, or at a prearranged event. Also note that

78 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSJean confessed that he had lied to protect her, which to Banniker shook his head and headed off to hurryhim seemed a perfectly suitable reason for his actions. Of Coinfumble along, while Elbert and Myrta swarmed allcourse, without the clueless couple there, Gest was able to over the worried child, showing her all the wonderfulconfront Lysha with her lack of payment, and Jean things they had got her in town. Most of all, she lovedquickly offered the silver weapons in exchange. the new doll they had bought her, with the porcelain Jean and Lysha were both confused about the features and hands. It was a very nice one, and they coulddisappearance of Jean’s bullet mold and the arrival of the tell she liked dolls by the way she always clung to herweapons, but neither one wished to tell the truth to Gest, cloth one.26so Merilee’s plan was working fine. Janus told Gest Coinfumble had been saving food for all three ofabout the missing money, and Gest immediately them, so it was easy enough to just go to their room andsuspected Jean, which was also expected. Gest would gossip about town. The girl was getting chatty now, andnow believe that the silver weapons had been hidden in they got to their room just as the sun was setting outsideLysha’s room to avoid detection of some plot against him. the window. Elizabeth was the first one there, but as theyThese clues could not have worked out better. were just settling down, Elizabeth jumped back up to say Merilee was much more interested in the Blethins, so she had forgotten her other doll where she had beenshe sent her bat out to follow them after all was working sleeping. Taking her plate with her, she ventured brieflyfine inside the inn. She would have to time her arrival into the other room.with that of the Blethins, which probably meant delaying “Well, deary, ‘tis good to see you’ve got yourthem. Six hours later, the bat woke her up to report that appetite back.” Elbert offered, noting that her plate wasthey were buying things in town. It only took a mental now half empty. Elizabeth only smiled shyly.nudge to get Myrta Blethins to buy her a new, larger doll. They continued their conversation, with ElizabethBuying the fennel would be pushing it, so she had the bat getting so worked up that she could hardly concentrate onmake a quick sweep of the market for a few minutes, and eating. Rather than talk about her, which they fearedthen told it to head back to C’est Si Bon. might upset her, the two adults decided to tell her stories, The bat woke her up just as the Blethins were coming and found she had quite a few of her own. Theyup the path. The sun was still setting; it would be tough continued telling stories long into the evening, beforeto manage the switch, but easier than this morning had going to bed.been. Gritting her teeth,24 she turned into a bat and flewahead of them, into the second story, and turned into mist N N Nto get inside. N N N This time around, the soporific was only being used to prevent the older couple from waking up. They were “But wasn’t she with you?!” Gest demanded. Even wearing out Merilee’s patience and their usefulness, sobossy Myrta shrank a little from this outburst; Gest was in tonight she would be feeding from Jean, Coinfumble, anda foul mood. Janus. Taking her larger doll, Merilee turned into mist “I was upstairs,” came a weak voice from above and flowed into Jean’s room. There, after feeding, shethem. Coming downstairs was Elizabeth, groggy and quickly searched through his things for something sherubbing her eyes. “I saw that Misra was cleaning our would need for the next phase of her operation.room when I came back, so I picked another. Am I in To reach all her goals in one night, Merilee wouldtrouble?”25 need wings. Taking the bag she had used the night

with her incredible powers of insight and attention to planning, around her but do not actually accuse her of wrongdoing can beMerilee will have the bat prepared for most situations. defused with this question.24 26 Merilee’s exceptional wisdom gives her a bonus against Merilee, like all of her kind, requires some relic of her formermany saves that vampires make, including the saves to see if life to sleep with. In her case, this is a doll. Merilee alwaysshe is repelled by sunlight, mirrors, or holy symbols. (See Van sleeps with a doll of some kind, although it needn’t be one sheRichten’s Guide to Vampires, pg. 41, 42, and 48.) owned in life—those have all gone the way of all the earth.25 These statements are excellent examples of Merilee’s tactics Yet, as much as she despises her childlike appearance, herfor non-charm manipulation. The first is a replay of footnote condition forces her to acquire or make a new doll every few#10; letting people assume more to her statements than she has years. She has a small collection of dolls saved up, so as not tosaid. Everyone in hearing will assume she has been in a room be without one should she be forced to find new refuge. Onethey were not in, and that somebody else was aware of it. By advantage of this is that a little girl with a doll collection is farnot stating a specific room, Merilee has side-stepped any less conspicuous than a man who ships barrels of earthconfrontation that might arise by being caught in a lie. The wherever he goes. Another is that in a pinch, there are bound tosecond is another great line, one that Merilee has used to get out be dolls in every village she goes to, making it easy for her toof trouble for over a century. Most conflicts that are centered find quick and easy refuge.

79BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSbefore, she turned into a bat and flew into town, to the exercised more restraint, but between his rage and thehome of a dye-seller she had seen earlier. Fennel was sight of blood, the amount of restraint was visible.used for yellow and brown dyes, and between the garden Merilee decided that the argument could onlyand the exterior storerooms, she managed to collect quite escalate properly if the older couple were out of the way,a bit. Dropping this off at her ghouls’ camp, she gave so she decided to remove them. Slipping out of the roomthem instructions on how it was to be used, then headed in mist form, Merilee ran around to the window whereback into the inn. Lysha noticed her, which sent Elbert and Myrta outside Waking Jean was quite easy, but keeping him awake immediately after her. Knowing that she had to get backwas difficult. Knowing he was curious about somebody and watch the show so that she could direct Jean properly,stealing and planting things, Merilee deliberately made Merilee ran sobbing into the woods, followed by thesome noises in the hall outside his room, and then outside Blethins. Moments later, she was better fed and had twohis window. Finally, Jean got dressed and crept outside. more ghouls. The Blethins had served their purpose. By the time Jean was outside investigating the Returning to the inn, Merilee was just in time towindow, Merilee had turned back into gaseous form and make Jean run for his life. Gest’s assumptions were thatwas inside, at Janus’ bedside. She woke the old man, Jean had been sent here to kill him; the discovery thatusing her already-present charm powers as she told him Janus was slain with a silver bullet only confirmed thatthat she couldn’t sleep. supposition.28 Lysha was sobbing and frantic, not “That’s no surprise,” the old man huffed, getting out understanding any of what was happening. A briefof bed. “You have done nothing but sleep all day!” mental nudge sent Lysha running to her room, where she Getting him into the study was easy after that. Had simply held Sardion and waited for all this to stop.he been fully awake, he might have noticed there was It would soon be over, Merilee judged. With Lyshasomething strange about her request to get a book on the in her room, Jean running, Coinfumble ready to changeuppermost shelf—something deliberate. Had he not been and Gest angry, Banniker would go for a hunt. Surecharmed, he might have refused to get up on his tiptoes enough, soon he was letting out his dogs after Jean, whoand reach for the book she asked for—a simple by now had reached the woods and was still running. Sheaccounting book, as he had insisted. Had he a mirror and turned into a bat to intercept Jean before he got too far,been able to see her reflection in it, he might have had a all the while giving her ghouls a strict mental command towarning as she opened the back of her porcelain doll, hold back. She didn’t want Jean killed while he was stillpulled out a wheellock belt pistol, and held it towards the useful.back of his head with both hands.27 It was the odor of the dogs that first tipped her off, The shot woke everyone not already awake. With Merilee decided. Even bred with wolves and hounds asonly moments to act, Merilee dropped the pistol to the they were, the strong smell of jackal was still in them, asfloor and drained the last of the wizard’s life force with a it was in Gest, whose strong body odor was her final clue.blow from her fist. Her mist was dissipating throughout The avoidance of anise, which tasted like fennel, onlythe room as Coinfumble arrived, followed by Jean, then emphasized the fact that the common household herb wasGest, then Lysha, then Myrta and Elbert, the last two still missing. As he ran into the woods after Jean, a man-obviously searching for the missing girl. Merilee jackal hybrid at the head of a pack of wolf-jackal hybrids,observed the argument with enthusiasm. Merilee saw how easily he could have been mistaken for It was, of course, Jean’s gun, and he had been the a werewolf by a non-lycanthrope.only one not in his room. Jean immediately began Jean stopped and stared at her as she coalesced intoaccusing Gest, talking about somebody stealing from him, solid form in front of him.which Gest naturally took as an attempt to relocate the “What are you?” he breathed, his voice shuddering asblame. Even more interesting was observing the actions the howls broke from the hilltops behind him.of Gest and Coinfumble at the sight of blood. “I am a ghost,” Merilee lied. “I was slain years agoCoinfumble immediately excused herself, which Merilee by this beast, and I have come for my revenge. Gestdecided must have been a preemptive attempt to avoid Banniker is my murderer, and I desire justice.”going into bloodlust. Gest, being a true lycanthrope,

27 28 Merilee has used firearms before, but with her tiny, weak It is common practice for Merilee to have a scapegoat for herhands she requires a two-handed grip on the smallest of such actions. If feeding, she may bruise her own neck and pretend toweapons, and the kick they put out is prohibitive to frequent be a victim, then charm somebody to make them impersonate ause. They often go flying completely out of her hands. Larger vampire. When investigating, Merilee will often try to makefirearms are only useful if she can steady them on something her scapegoat appear capable but incorrect on many points.else. When used, however, Merilee’s high Dexterity makes her This prevents immediate elimination of the scapegoat and lullsan adequate shot. the victim into a false sense of security.

80 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS Jean had a hundred questions, she knew, about why the log. Jean fired again, hitting the monstrous beast inshe had appeared the way she had, and about her actions the head as he tried to climb over after Merilee. The painthe past few days. With the pack hot on his trail, was maddening now, and Gest came on in spite of ahowever, he only had time for the one that mattered: nagging doubt that he should not continue his pursuit. “How can I help?” Jean backed up and, taking his pistol from the ghouls who Merilee told her two newest ghouls to hide, knowing had been reloading it, fired again. Another pistol ready,that Jean would have too many questions about Myrta and and he fired again. With all this going on, the constantElbert. She introduced him to the rest as other former barrage of copper bullets tearing into him, Gest nevervictims of Gest before telling him what to do. noticed the dart that penetrated his flesh.30 It was not Gest crashed through the brush on the trail of this enchanted, and so caused no pain, but it was poisoned infoolish prey who thought he could be slain with silver. a special fashion.31 With or without this final stroke fromWell, let him shoot Gest with silver bullets all night. Merilee, Gest was near death.Were it not for the murder of Janus, he might have let the “Stop.” Merilee said to Jean, adding emphasisman live to spread misinformation. Then again, maybe through her charm.not; it had been too long since he had had a decent hunt, Jean ceased firing and smiled at the wrecked, heavingand the exhilaration was compelling. heap that had been Gest Banniker. The ghouls moved in The trail was pitifully straight, and the dogs closed in and paralyzed the fallen creature, though to Jean it lookedquickly. Suddenly a small figure crouched on a fallen as if they had merely finished him off, as Gest had alreadytree in front of them. With a start, the figure jumped ceased to move. As the ghouls dragged Gest into theforward and smacked his lead dog, killing it. Within the brush, Merilee turned.moments it took for Gest to arrive on the scene, half his “Thank you Jean; we’ve had our justice, with yourpack was dead. In shock and fury, Gest let out a roar that help. Go check on Lysha.”tore through the woods like thunder. With Jean gone, Merilee turned back to her ghouls, “Whoops, was that one a cousin?” a gentle voice who were, as per her orders, burying the paralyzed Gestpurred mockingly. Gest stared at the figure that stood up to his neck. The fennel had proved unnecessary tillboldly amid his cowering dogs. Coinfumble? No, she now, but it might still be useful for interrogating thewas too slim. His eyes and mindset finally adjusted as he werebeast. Before the ghouls began to bury Gest, Merileewas pulled out of the heady reverie of the hunt. This was looked him in the eyes.someone else. “Change,” she ordered. “Don’t recognize me?” Merilee said, a little louder Obediently, Gest changed back to a human, stillthis time as she stepped up to face Gest. She chose her unable to move. Ignoring that the transformation hadwords carefully, so as to mean different things to Gest and allowed Gest to heal some of his wounds, Merilee leanedJean. His bestial eyes only registered confusion. This into the pit and removed his magical ring. With a mentalwas the girl, Elizabeth. What in the Mists was going on? note for her ghouls to proceed, Merilee slipped the ringThen he remembered a Kargat meeting from decades inside her brand-new doll and began packing to leave.back. Mention of a child vampire who was associated “I can get out of here, girl,” Gest spat at her minuteswith the Kargat, made dealings with them. He had even later, as the paralysis wore off. It was an empty threat,met her, but she had looked so plain . . . and they both knew it. “Betrayer!” he roared, his mind still on the hunt, hisrage needing no explanation for why the child vampirewould strike against a Kargat agent. Merilee backed upto the fallen tree and held her ground there as she watched are attacking. Most attackers cannot do 18 hp in two rounds,him surge forward, preparing a strike of her own with just leaving her to regenerate as mist and then continue the assault.the right timing. By using her mist form this way, Merilee can wear down high- Merilee’s head blew apart into clouds of mist as Jean level parties, by causing them to waste powerful magic as shefired straight through her, hitting the werejackal with a waits out the duration of the spells. 30ball of solid copper. Gest was knocked back, giving Merilee uses poisoned darts in combat against anyone whoMerilee the instant that she needed. Her hands shot to his she desires an edge against. Unlike many other opponents,furry gut, draining his life away as he staggered back, Merilee has no compunctions about overreacting and/orroaring with a pain that he felt so rarely it was unreal to “cheating” in her combat tactics. She has even been known to coat her nails in contact poison (no need to worry about what ithim even now. Gest’s counterattack was furious, but it might do to her, after all).ended as Merilee turned to mist29 and drifted back under 31 Whether this poison actually worked on Gest is up to the DM, but it is catalytic: if ingested or injected 5-30 minutes29 With only 18 hp, Merilee often attacks for a round by before a paralyzing touch, it lowers the save by 5. This is notsurprise and then is turning to mist by the time her opponents cumulative.

81BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS “Not before I can bash in your head and steal what’s Coinfumble refilled her glass mutely and left the roomleft of your life, you can’t. And don’t call me ‘girl’,” she again.responded. It took a little while for Aubrecker to respond; he was “Why?” he asked hoarsely. “Why have you betrayed unable to read Merilee’s thoughts and had to use thethe Kargat?” much slower method of reading Alexis’ memories of her “First, I might as well tell you that the Kargat aren’t words. They were both used to the style of conversation.in charge anymore. Second, I never worked for them “And once again, you have outshone your calling. I onlyalone. I was merely an associate, not a lackey.32 I’m here asked that he be eliminated. Bringing him alive wason different business.” excellent work; preserving his reputation here so he could Gest’s answers were forthcoming as she interrogated be exploited was even more commendable. As for thehim about what he knew of the Living Brain and Dominic ring, I expect you will take that as part of your fee; I haved’Honaire. She was amused to discover that he had little use for it, and would see it out of my life forever.”offended Aubrecker without knowledge of his existence; “You’re too kind.” Merilee murmured. Aubreckerhe had been trying to track d’Honaire’s agents, thinking continued without acknowledging the comment.him the only such influence on the people of Dementlieu. “And for the rest of your fee?” “Well,” she stated, “when the sun comes up, two Merilee pursed her lips briefly while pretending tothings are going to happen. One, I’m getting into my think.coffin, which will be moved away by my ghouls. Two, “Not money, not this time.” She waited for theyou are going to get a visitor by the name of Alexis words to reach him.Wilhaven. He’s very interested in ‘investing’ in you and “Be wary, lest you ask too much—”your business.” “An alias. I wish for you to prepare an alias I can use Oblivious to his screams, the ghouls tamped the earth in the shipping industry here on the coast. I need to bedown around Gest and took turns watching over him until able to arrange shipments of products up north, and usingsunrise. The last two to leave, who he recognized, were my charms is getting tedious.”placed as guards as the other six marched off into the “Quite simple,” the Living Brain responded. He hadwoods with Merilee’s coffin. created false identities for much of his criminal empire. Another would hardly be difficult. N N N “Indeed, yet infinitely valuable to me. Too many suspicions are sown when a ten-year old tries to arrange “He’ll be an excellent ally, Merilee.” It was Alexis business deals with merchant companies, and whenWilhaven who spoke, and it was the body of Alexis money is revealed, far too many think me an easy mark.Wilhaven that sat with Merilee in C’est Si Bon that It’s abundantly inconvenient.”evening. But the words slipping from Alexis’ mouth “Quite so. It seems we each have ourcame directly from Rudolph van Aubrecker, the Living inconveniences, Milady.33 Will that be all?”Brain. Coinfumble and Gest were ever the gracious “Well, I’d like a small account created for this newhosts, but Lysha and Jean had fled the madness of the inn identity. I’ll add to it myself, but if you’d be so generousforever. There was little worry of either coming back, as as to put the rest of what you owe me into this account,they were both refugees of sorts who would have reasons you’ll soon have the money back for the Anthrazit brewto hide their presence here. Add to that Jean’s belief that and Umbral Grey. Oh, and please make the alias anhe had helped avenge an age-old murder, and the truth of associate of the Lamordian scholar LaMark.”34what happened here tonight would soon be shrouded infireside tales of tragic justice. “I thought as much,” purred the girl-vampire as she 33 Nobody will ever earn Merilee’s respect for treating her as areclined on the sofa. “He only needed a little taming.” child, even while she is acting like one. As contradictory as itEver the gentleman, Aubrecker had brought her a bottle seems, the more innocent she acts, the more she hates peopleof fresh blood, warmed by the fire for her enjoyment. for believing her ruse. Business associates learn quickly to treat her as an adult. 34 Tempus LaMark is a pseudonym established by Merilee, well32 Merilee exaggerates on this point; she has been studying known for “his” submissions to scholarly tracts all over theAdam and his children—and golems in general—for years, and Core. Merilee has carefully built up the story of this travelingshe offered that information to the Kargat in exchange for a sage while using his reputation to gain subscriptions tocouple of favors years ago. She maintains a good relationship scholarly journals. LaMark and his essays have given her awith a few members of the Kargat after the Requiem, but she chance to stretch her mental boundaries and receive criticismhas nothing resembling membership. She acquired these and input from some of the greatest minds in the core. LaMarkcontacts after the last Kargat vampire who tried to study Adam never writes about anything that might give any hint as to “his”never came back; Merilee sometimes wears his ring. true nature.

82 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS “Done. How is your alter ego doing? I was not some notoriety as an acquaintance of LaMark. Heexpecting to read your excellent essay in the Lamordian depends upon his share of our acquisitions as much as IScholastic Journal this month, considering your current do. In fact, I have another proposal for you.”exploits. Have you somehow found a way to write while “Really?”flying? “I would like help with a second alias, one with Merilee caught the joke even as it emerged which I can have a more intimate correspondence withmirthlessly from Alexis’ lips. “In a sense, yes. My you. Contacting me through LaMark requires so muchability to control undead is similar to your unconquerable implied meaning in the correspondence, as you know.domination of the wills of men; it has no range. I have a With a second alias, I might be able to pass on moretrusted ally in Lamordia who takes dictation from one of direct information, even some suggestions andmy minor undead, a zombie, well preserved to allow it speculations about your current condition.”speech. I think the words that I wish to say to the zombie, The silence was a little long; now it was Merilee’sand my ally writes down every word.” turn to worry. Alexis’ face was just a mask, never Merilee could predict his response to this. “You are revealing Aubrecker’s thoughts. Without a face to looktoo trusting. Does not this ally know too much of you? Is at, she had no way of telling if she had made the Brainhe not in a position of great power?” The situation must angry or excited. Assuming she had his attention eitherhave maddened Aubrecker, Merilee knew. Here was an way, she forged ahead.action that made no sense from what he knew of Merilee, “My associate has already penned an essay on howand his usual recourse—prying open the mind of a person sensory deprivation can cause a person’s brain to developand sifting through—was not possible. Thank goodness extraordinary qualities. With the nature of most scholarlyfor little secrets. journals, however, we have nobody to share the essay “My ally is trustworthy,35 and would have little to with.”gain by exposing me. He gains experience, wisdom, even More silence. Merilee knew she was on shaky ground, so she threw out her bait. “I’ve also prepared another essay from my long Merilee has even claimed that it was an article written by association with the, shall we say, lord of the Isle ofLaMark that brought Dr. Van Richten close to her, so that she Lament. It’s on the creation of so-called ‘flesh golems.’could slay Claudia DeShanes for her knowledge of psionics. As Were you aware of the importance of the brain as ana side note, Merilee writes the name almost exclusively with the ingredient? Many times the golem retains all thefirst name as an initial. This is a throwback to her invention of memories and mental stamina of the person whose brainthe name, which stands for “The Last Markuza.” Merilee has was used. I’d like to discuss the possibilities withused this self-appointed title only rarely, and those who have somebody, but again, the literary journals just don’t haveheard it (and lived) have wondered if she truly is the last of her who I’m looking for.” She knew this would grab him.family name, or whether she merely suspects it, or whether thisis a reference to her immortal nature. Only Merilee really “And the price for this information?”knows. “All that is required to establish this correspondence35 Her “ally” is more than trustworthy, being some of Adam’s is to create an alias whereby we can exchange theformer children, the flesh golems of Lamordia. These freaks of information. It’s already been written under the name ofunnature have taken Merilee in as a teacher and mentor, for she Herr Fritz Zeitenhab. If you would be so kind as to begincan teach them something of mortality. She offers them eyes to petitioning the library of Leidenheim to begin forwardingthe outside world, skills such as writing, agriculture, and those messages to you, I can begin building that alias inbrewing, and has helped them to build a facade as monks, living Lamordia.”in an abandoned monastery. The “monks” fish, grow gardens, This time she was sure the silence was on her side.brew beer, make clothes, and have entered into exchange with She sat back and took a long drink while letting himthe Lamordians, under Merilee’s careful tutelage. Merchants deliver food at times, including dried fruits, think.meats, cheeses, and vegetables. These are either eaten by the The response was simple. “You give much, yet askflesh golems who require sustenance, fermented into wines and little. What little you have is quickly magnified by yourpoisons by Merilee (or by flesh golems trained by her), or fed to exploitation of its values, and then combined with otherprisoners who await conversion into flesh golems. Rarer trifles in like fashion. Yet you have managed to builddeliveries include cloth, salt, blank books, letters of quite a life around this.”correspondence from various sources, gunpowder, guns, holy Merilee smiled, her teeth sparkling red in the firelightwater, and whatever else Merilee has arranged for. The sailors as Gest refilled her drink. “It’s a gift, my dear Baron.and merchants have strict instructions not to look in the boxes, Truly a gift.”for the “monks” would be offended. Naturally, Merilee exploits the golems’ desire to becomehuman, using them for her own purposes. A few of them realize understanding humanity. They may never realize that it isthis on a certain level, but they consider her their best chance of impossible to learn humanity from the inhuman.

EquipmentBelow are standard contents for a small doll (usually asoft rag doll, sometimes wood) or a large doll (usuallywood and cloth, sometimes ceramic). Merilee uses thesedolls to conceal whatever would be “out of character” foran innocent little girl. In addition to the following, theremay be things she is carrying to help her currentendeavor.

v Small Doll: 1-2 poisoned darts, small vial of poison,

2d4 gp.v Large Doll: All of the above, plus one of the following: 10 charges of gunpowder, small firearm, 1d4 vials of poison, signal mirror, map/document.

Merilee has most of the standard vampire drawbacks

for a vampire of her age; she is not repelled by garlic, butholy symbols, consecrated ground and mirrors repel hernormally, while sunlight, holy water, and running waterall damage her. A stake through the heart only requires a13 Strength from the wielder, due to her slight build, butthe roll must hit AC -2 because her heart is so small. Seethe footnotes for small alterations and roleplaying noteson her charm, immunity to sunlight, sleepingrequirements, and other aspects of her nature.

84 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

CARNAGAN WOLFE A Wolf Without a Pack by Mark Jackman yu250627@yorku.ca

BIOGRAPHY trousers. They are generally dark, somber colors, as he

disregards style and it is impractical to sneak up on something while wearing bright colors. If he transforms

S ometimes, when punishment reaches out to claim the guilty, an innocent is caught in into his hybrid aspect in these clothes, they will tear a its grip. little, but most of the damage will be minor. In combat, Carnagan wears a set of leather armor rigged to fall apart should he transform while wearing it. He wears a special belt around his waist at all times. The Appearance belt has a loop to hold his sword, Harbinger, two holstersCarnagan is a unassuming young man who has just turned for his snaplock pistols, and many small pouches to holdthirty. Yet, because of his lycanthropic blood, he only his ammunition, smokepowder charges, and other goodsappears to be about 23. He stands about 5’10” with a needed for hunting undead, such as holy water, garlic, etc.slightly athletic build. His unruly hair is dark black and When Carnagan enters his hybrid form, he standscut short. His face often has a pensive expression, but if 6’5” tall and becomes extremely muscular. His body isaround friends or a person he is attracted to, a slight smile covered in thick black fur and inch-long claws replace hiswill always touch his lips. He constantly has the fingernails. The only part of his body that does notbeginnings of a mustache and goatee, but they never seem change is his eyes. They remain human, a symbol that heto grow, leaving him with a scruffy look. Many people is still in control.have assumed that this unassuming figure is helpless, and In wolf aspect, Carnagan is identical to a dire wolf.more than one opponent can attest that Carnagan is much As in his hybrid form, he is covered in black fur and hisstronger than he looks. eyes remain human. Carnagan’s eyes are soft brown and shine withintelligence. Yet, an observant onlooker may see that analmost sorrowful envy flashes in his eyes when he looksupon a sense of a family enjoying each others’ company,or a pair of lovers being reunited. He will only becomeangry if he sees an injustice occurring. He is unable tostand by as a neutral party if someone is beingdiscriminated against. He ignores class, race and othersocial restrictions, the only things that he has a hatred forare undead and werewolves that prey on innocents. No part of Carnagan’s body carries a scar. He healsmuch too quickly for them to form. Yet, Carnagan doescarry signs of his true nature. He has thick, bushyeyebrows that join over the bridge of his nose. His indexand middle fingers are both of equal lengths. Finally, athin layer of fine black hair covers the palms of his hands.He covers this with black gloves, but always has aimaginative excuse ready, should anyone ever questionhim about this feature. Carnagan Wolfe Generally, Wolfe wears loose, comfortable clothing. 7th-Level Thief (Monster Hunter)He wears a simple shirt, a small vest and a pair of Mountain Loup-Garou, Chaotic Good

85BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSArmor Class 6 (5) Str 17 (19) In the loving environment of the temple, CarnaganMovement 12 (15) Dex 18 (16) received a good education. The anchorites spoiled him,Level/Hit Dice 7 Con14 as the young rapscallion was a nice break from the usuallyHit Points 36 Int 16 solemn life of a keeper of the faith.THAC0 16 Wis 18 Carnagan was an energetic child. His imaginationNo. of Attacks 1 Cha10 (0) ran wild, as he pretended to hunt dragons and saveDamage/Attacks By weapon (2d4/1d6/1d6) damsels while running between the legs of many of theSpecial Attacks Surprise faithful.Special Defenses Gold or +1 or better Carnagan was unable to grasp the concept of the weapons needed to hit, heals anchorite’s studied neutrality. It made no sense to him when he transforms. that they should balance their emotions and motivationsSpecial Weaknesses Wolfsbane, gold, alcohol. until some unseen power revealed her mystical secrets.Thief Abilities PP 55% OL 55% F/RT 20% The local gendarmes brought the young child back to HS 55% MS 55% DN 15% the temple more than once. Carnagan seemed to enjoy CW 60% RL 5% the idea of taking from the rich and giving to the poor.Dietary Requirement 35 These occasions became fewer and fewer as he grew, notWeapon Proficiencies: Snaplock pistol, Long sword, because he was mending his ways, but because he was Dagger getting better at avoiding getting caught.Nonweapon Proficiencies: Tracking, Reading/Writing, Eventually, the anchorites decided that the priesthood Carpentry, Weaponsmithing, Survival, was not meant for Carnagan. So, pulling in a few favors, Transformation*(2/2), Mark of the Beast* (3/3), they got the boy a apprenticeship at a carpenter and a Power of the Blood* (2/2), Damage Healing* (1/1), weaponsmith. Allergen Alcohol* (1/1), Damage Immunity +2* Unfortunately, Carnagan would only receive a year (4/4) of education at each, as he soon gave away some of theLanguages: Dementlieur/Mordentish, Balok craftsman’s goods out of the kindness of his heart, and was fired. Helping people seemed to be more inNotes: Scores in parentheses are for Carnagan in hybrid or wolf aspect. Carnagan’s nature than being a merchant.Proficiencies marked with an asterisk (*) are found in the Beasts at A month after Carnagan’s fourteenth birthday, heHeart rules in The Book of Souls. More information on the Monster found one of his friends lying dead in an alley. She hadHunter Kit may be found in the Champions of the Mists accessory. been completely drained of blood. A week after the funeral, he saw her again.Background Following her to a graveyard, Carnagan tried to askCarnagan Wolfe’s parents hailed from the distant world her what had happened. Instead of answering, she leapt atof Toril. They were loup-garou, and the Mists of him, fangs bared, thirsting for his blood. As he stood,Ravenloft embraced them after they had completed the frozen with horror, the corrupt night creature tried to biteslaughter of the residents of a small farm. him. Carnagan was born soon afterward, and was the only Revulsion, fear, pity and hatred welled up inside him.pup in the litter who was born in his human aspect. This He saw the creature in front of him as a horrible parodytwist of fate saved Carnagan’s life, as his parents had of his friend. The kindness that had marked herattracted the attention of some experienced hunters. personality was gone and her darker side had been A party of adventurers, lead by the famous Dr. enhanced. As these negative feelings overwhelmedRudolph van Richten, found the werebeasts cave and Carnagan, he blacked out.slaughtered the parents and the newborns. Just as they Upon coming to, Carnagan was horrified to find thewere about to leave, a tiny wail pieced the silence. An vampire had been torn to pieces and spread out over theanchorite of Ezra named Lian found a young infant graveyard. Even more horrific, the pieces that were leftbehind a rock. Assuming that the creatures had intended appeared to have been chewed.to use the child as a snack for their newborns, Lian Gathering up his tattered clothing, the terrified boydecided to adopted him. The child had no wounds, so ran to Lian. Grimly, his adoptive father performed thechecking him for lycanthropy was thought unnecessary. rite to detect a lycanthrope. The indication showed that At the Temple of Ezra in Port-a-Lucine, the other not only was Carnagan a werebeast, he was a trueanchorites agreed to take in the child. At the naming lycanthrope. He could never be free of the Dreadceremony, Lian named the infant Carnagan Wolfe. He Disease.thought the last name would serve as a reminder to the Lian was unable to kill his ward. Carnagan fled intodebt that the child owed Ezra. the night, unable to stay in the temple any longer. Alone

86 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSin the world, he traveled the Core, looking for a place to bloodlust would never let him feel like he belongedcall home. Eventually, he found Verbrek. anywhere. Once Carnagan embraced his heritage, he Verbrek was a place where his lycanthropic kind would be allowed to return to Verbrek.ruled the wilds. Carnagan decided that he might be able Almost as an afterthought, Timothy added the clauseto find a life for himself there. that the sword could not be used to hurt werewolves. Any Carnagan was welcomed by the werewolf clans of other lycanthrope was fine, but not werewolves.Verbrek with open arms. He was required to speak with With that, Carnagan was exiled from Verbrek. Oncetheir high priest, one Alfred Timothy, but after merely again, he was alone.telling his story, Timothy allowed Carnagan a place in thecommunity. Carnagan felt like a lost child who had come home. Current SketchThe other lycanthropes spent time with him, teaching him Fortunately, Carnagan has found a loophole in Timothy’show to control his changes. Eventually, he even mastered cruel curse: the sword is equally sated by the living or thethe art of transformation so completely that he was able to undead. By slaying at least one soulless, undead creatureeffect only partial changes. a month, Carnagan has been able to avoid taking innocent To support himself, Carnagan plied his knowledge of lives.carpentry and taught the children of the village to read. Carnagan has spent the past few years as a completeBeing intelligent, strong and self-sufficient, he soon outcast. As a result, he is shy and quiet. Unless he hasbecame the one of the most desirable bachelors in the something important to say, he will just stand by andvillage. Even so, Carnagan had enough trouble with listen. While he truly wishes to belong, the curse placedhuman women, and wasn’t really interested in pursuing a on him always prevents him from being himself. Inrelation with the aggressive she-wolves that were showing situations where he must be social with a large number ofinterest. people he does not know, he becomes nauseous and has a Unfortunately, during the first meeting that he went constant doubt about his being there. Also, he has foundto at the Circle, Carnagan’s world was once again that he is allergic to alcohol. If he drinks it, he becomesdestroyed. violently ill. At the meeting, it was decided that since Carnagan Around women he finds attractive, Carnagancould shape wood, they didn’t need the human carpenter, becomes tongue-tied and nervous. He speaks in short,Yurgi Branktoff. Yurgi was brought before the council, one-word sentences and tries to find excuses to get away.stripped of all his clothing and told that he had half an If the person works with him for a bit, or he is forced tohour to make it to the border. have a lengthy conversation, Carnagan is capable of Yurgi wasn’t even halfway there when the working past this shyness. Currently, he has moved towerewolves caught him. Mordentshire and is trying to work up the nerve to woo a Carnagan was horrified. The people with whom he certain woman he has seen around town. Unfortunately,lived murdered innocent humans as if they were cattle. he doesn’t even know her name, and unless she makes theAt this time, Carnagan took to hunting his own food. If first move or meets him on an adventure, it seemshe didn’t catch it himself, he refused to eat it. unlikely that Carnagan will even do anything more than Years passed, and as Carnagan was approaching the smile and nod at her as she walks by.age of 23, he was caught in aiding a human to escape the At no time will Carnagan admit to being a loup-“Game.” He had been doing this for some time, as he garou. If talking to another infected lycanthrope and heperfected his control and tried to better the humans way needs to show that he has control, he will transform.of life in Verbrek. Also, if confronted with undeniable proof of his true Carnagan was dragged before Alfred Timothy. The nature, he will admit the truth and then react according toHigh Priest of the Wolf God was outraged that Carnagan how the characters handle the situation. He will not killwould consider aiding prey in escaping the hunters. them to silence them, and will answer all questions He said, “Until you accept what you are, you shall truthfully.never feel as though you belong!” Carnagan moved to Mordentshire for two reasons. A long sword was brought out and Timothy The first is the fact that it suffers no lack of the undead inenchanted it. He bound it to Carnagan’s soul, so that no the area around Gryphon Hill. The second is his hope toother could use it. Then, he laid down a curse. As long convince the young Weathermay-Foxgrove sisters toas the moon ran through its phases, Carnagan would have allow him to make use of Van Richten’s massive library.to kill one creature each month. If he did not, the sword So far, Gennifer has been always busy and Carnagan haswould cut away at his self control, until he became only dealt with Laurie. This doesn’t seem to be anothing more than the beast he attempted to control. Yet, problem, and while he can make small talk with her, heeven as he fought to maintain his humanity, the sword’s

87BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENScan’t seem to become calm enough to ask if he can use the wounds are cosmetic and fade in one hour. He hasthe library. even discovered that he is immune to falls, poisons, and Should Carnagan be given a chance to help someone drowning.who has lycanthropy, he will quickly finish his current In wolf or hybrid aspect, Carnagan will only use hishunt and aid them in finding the bloodline’s progenitor. teeth or claws against opponents that cannot catchShould the cure not work, he will even offer to induct lycanthropy (the undead, magical constructs, shamblingthem into his “pack” and teach them to control their mounds, etc.). Otherwise, he will only transform to runlycanthropy. for cover or to heal damage. Finally, Carnagan realizes that the reason he feels Whenever Wolfe transforms, he heals 1d6x10% oflike an outcast is because of the curse. If he stops killing any damage that he has suffered since his lastundead he will finally feel like he fits in. Unfortunately, transformation.he also realizes that if he does this, he will lose control of Against undead, Wolfe gains a +2 onus on allthe beast within. So far, he feels that being an outcast is proficiency and ability checks. Also, he gains a +2 on allbetter than being a murderer. damage rolls against these unnatural creatures. Conversely, undead gain a +2 bonus on initiative againstCombat Wolfe. Carnagan is allergic to alcohol. If ingested, it willDuring combat, Carnagan usually uses his long sword, make him violently ill for 1d6 days. ConcentratedHarbinger. Harbinger is a long sword +1, +3 vs. undead. alcohol, such as in meeklebrau, burns his skin for 1d4As Harbinger is bound to Carnagan through an damage.unbreakable bond, no one else can wield it in battle. As a result of his heritage Carnagan is immune to allAlso, if Carnagan concentrates and says the phrase other forms of lycanthropy. If Carnagan makes a fear or“Harbinger, come” the sword will appear in a free hand. horror check prompted by witnessing a lycanthropeIf the blade is in danger of hitting Carnagan, it becomes transform or attack, then the only result of his failure isincorporeal. that he is surprised for one round. He has transformed In any month that Carnagan does not slay a creature, enough times for it not to shock him if someone else doesincluding the undead, his Wisdom score will drop by 1 it.point and his Charisma will rise by 1. After one month, Around other people, Carnagan has a 5% cumulativehe is able to succumb to bloodlust, though with a +4 to chance to sense if someone is a werewolf. If he senseshis saving throw. Every month after, the saving throw that someone is, he will quietly confront that person. Ifbonus diminishes, until finally he loses complete control they wish to be cured, he will aid them in their quest.of himself in the fifth month. If he goes six months If the cure fails, Carnagan may offer to teach thewithout purposefully killing any creatures on purpose (an person to control the beast. If they accept, he stays withaccident does not count), then he will become chaotic evil them until they are triggered into transforming. Then heand return to Verbrek to claim his place in their transforms into his hybrid aspect and fights them. Whencommunity. Whenever he does kill an (undead) creature he has established dominance, they must spend a periodbefore the sixth month, he gains 1 point of Wisdom and of time with him. For every year they spend with him,loses one point of Charisma. When his Wisdom is once they gain 1 point to their Wisdom score. When they haveagain 18, he regains control of himself and is once again reached a score of 18, they are immune to the bloodlust.immune to the bloodlust. The only requirement Carnagan insists upon before he When fighting werewolves, Carnagan uses two takes on a protégé is that the person must be of a goodsnaplock pistols in his belt. If he knows what creature he alignment and must spend some time adventuring withis going up against, he loads them with the proper him. For Carnagan to trust them enough to teach them,ammunition (silver bullets, golden bullets, iron bullets, then they must go with him on his hunts.etc.). If not, he will load them with regular bullets. Eachshot inflicts 1d8 points of damage; if the roll comes up 8,reroll and add the results. The pistols carry only one Adventure Hooksbullet each and take a turn to reload. At no time my v A dying anchorite named Lian ask the heroes to findCarnagan use Harbinger to cause damage to another his adopted son. The priest offers only Carnagan’swerewolf. The blade will pass completely through the name, a sealed letter to give him, and a few rumors oftarget. where the man might be. The heroes will be working Carnagan can only be hurt by golden weapons or under a time limit, hoping to find Carnagan beforethose with a +1 or better enchantment. All wounds Lian passes away. If they find Carnagan, the heroescaused by normal weapons heal as fast as they are made if have to convince him to see his adoptive father.he is in his hybrid or wolf form. In human form, though,

88 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS Carnagan will be wary of going, as he falsely feels that he is nothing but a monster in Lian’s eyes. If the heroes get Carnagan to Lian’s deathbed in time, the old man begs his son’s forgiveness. Carnagan says that he never blamed him for anything. Lian then dies. After Lian breathes his last, Carnagan lets out a howl of sorrow that is echoed by all wolves within one mile. The heroes must then decide how to approach this sudden turn of events. If Lian has already died, Carnagan asks the heroes to escort him the grave. There, he lets out the grieving howl, which is echoed by all wolves within one mile. The heroes then find themselves in a difficult situation, as Carnagan is obviously not human.

v One of the party members is grabbed by a mob of

angry villagers. They accuse him or her of being a werewolf and decide to burn the hero at the stake as soon as possible. If the other party members try to free their friend, Carnagan will show up and help them in the middle of the rescue attempt. If they are content to sit back and watch their comrade burn, then Carnagan will show up at the last possible second and save the intended victim. He will explain to the heroes that the village has recently been terrorized by a vampire disguising its killing as those of a wild beast. He asks if they will help him hunt down and destroy the creature. If Carnagan agrees with the way that the heroes handle themselves during this adventure, he may stay with them for a time after. At no time will Carnagan actually hurt a villager. He understands that they are merely frightened and are not thinking clearly.

v If one of the player characters has been infected with

lycanthropy, Carnagan approaches him or her and offers to help them gain a cure. He does know the cure, but the main problem is finding the bloodline’s progenitor. If the cure attempt fails, Wolfe may offer to teach them to control the beast through the method described above.N

89BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

THE EFFIGY OF IVAN SZIMIN A Burning Desire for Vengeance by Stuart Turner stu@kargatane.com

BIOGRAPHY The Effigy of Ivan Szimin

Wood Golem, Neutral Evil

I n occupied Gundarak, the natives live a Armor Class 6 Str 19 hard life. Many would say that Count Strahd has only replaced the monstrous Movement 9 Dex 18 Duke Gundar with new monsters of his Level/Hit Dice 8 Con20 own making, in the shape of the boyars Hit Points 48 Int 13 and burgomeisters that rule with apparent THAC0 12 Wis 2impunity. The Gundarakite peoples’ growing faith in the Morale 20 Cha3Morning-lord is one of the few comforts they have come No. of Attacks 2 XP 6,000to enjoy. Damage/Attack 2d6/2d6 The death of Ivan Szimin, then, is a double blow to Special Attacks Fire damage (see below),the Gundarakites. Not only has one of their monsters produce flamebecome truly monstrous, but also he holds in his hands Special Defenses +1 or better magicalthe destruction of the faith that maintains their hope. weapons to hit; immune to poison, disease; immune to mind- and life-affecting magic;Appearance immune to fireThe effigy of Ivan Szimin is a ramshackle construction of Special Vulnerabilities Waterwood, with no apparent craftsmanship or care in its Magic Resistance Nildesign or construction. Standing almost eight feet tall,the figure is only vaguely recognizable as a human form. the golem moves. A single black knothole on one side of The pieces of the golem are taken from a wide the crate serves as the golem’s only eye.variety of sources, most of them found on any average A medallion rests on the torso of the golem, hangingfarm. The torso is an upended wooden water trough, its from a thick gold chain that runs around its neck. Thecorners filled with rotting farm refuse. Holes have been medallion is imprinted with the seal of Von Zarovich, andsmashed in the rotting wood of the trough to attach the is the chain of office for all boyars and burgomeisters inarms and legs, made of old fence-posts, spokes from cart- Barovia.wheels, and planks from old furniture. The pieces of the Few people get to see the creation in its inert form.limbs are nailed together, forming more joints than any When incensed, the effigy of Ivan Szimin becomesnormal arm or leg should have. The effigy’s feet are an engulfed in flames, which reach up to five feet above theupended bucket and a chopping block. The right hand is figure’s head at their most intense. The only parts of thea rusty metal head of a pitchfork, while the left is a forked golem which never burn are the metal pitchfork whichtree branch. serves as its right hand, and the black knothole that the The head is a small crate resting upside-down atop a creation sees through. Even in the most intense infernos,short wooden post. The crate is not nailed or attached to the single black eye can always be seen peering throughthe post in any way, allowing it to twist and pivot as the flames at its victim.

90 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSBackground correspondence from friends in Vallaki, while sipping on his tuika. When he heard a noise downstairs, he pickedIvan Szimin was just one of many corrupt boyars in the up an ornate silver letter-opener from his desk and wentformer Gundarak. Known for his fierce temper, Ivan is a to investigate.graying, middle-aged man. His left eye remains When Ivan saw the young Gundarakite lifting thepermanently closed, lost to disease in his younger years. gold medallion from its stand, he was enraged. That aLike most Barovians he despises Gundarakites. filthy Gundarakite child would dare steal from him was With little or no guidance from above, and almost unbelievable! Waving his silver letter-openercomplete autonomy, Ivan quickly learned many threateningly, Ivan roared at Ardonk, demanding that heinteresting ways in which to exploit the Gundarakites for leave immediately.his own benefit. While most corrupt officials are Ardonk, unfortunately, didn’t understand Balok, theclandestine about their wealth, Ivan was a showoff, language of the Barovians. But he did hear the wordproudly displaying to visitors the latest trinkets he had “Gundarakite” spoken with venom, and saw Ivanimported from the wealthy western lands of Dementlieu wielding a weapon. He began to reach for his dagger,and Richemulot. fumbling at the back of his belt. At the same time, he spat It was only a matter of time before some of his back accusations in his own language, Luktar.victims, guided by a young rebel eager to create unrest As the shouting match grew fiercer, Ardonkagainst the Barovian rulers, took action against him. continued to search for his dagger. Neither man Ardonk Szerieza is barely old enough to remember understanding the words of the other, they each sworelife before the Barovian invasion of Gundarak, but he is that the other’s people would soon pay for their mistakes.utterly convinced that his people were better off under Forced back into a corner, and with the letter openerDuke Gundar than they are under Von Zarovich’s boyars. pointed directly at his eyes, Ardonk plunged his daggerOver recent years, the young man has been inciting action into the stomach of Ivan Szimin, picked up the medallion,among the Gundarakites, from petty resistance to and fled the boyar’s manor.destruction of Barovian property. He is slowly and The three farmers had brought the effigy by cart tocarefully building a loyal band of followers, but often the the road near Ivan’s grounds. They could see Ivan’simpetuous rebel acts alone, and with devastating effect. home, and waited nervously for Ardonk to return. When It was inevitable that Ivan Szimin would eventually he did, they acted quickly. Ardonk flung the medallioncome to Ardonk’s attention. When Ivan increased the over the head of the monstrosity, while the still-land tax by 50%, but excluded the few Barovian farmers intoxicated farmers set alight the oil-soaked wood.on his lands, Ardonk decided to take action. That night, For a moment the farmers stood and watched thehe found three Gundarakite farmers drowning their inferno. Despite being drunk, the experience was asorrows in illegally brewed potato-ale. cathartic one. Hatred for the Barovian boyars had been Ardonk listened to the men for an hour, becoming building in the men for more than 15 years, with noincreasingly incensed at how easily the downtrodden outlet. For just a moment, as they watched the flamesfarmers had resigned themselves to another winter of near leap around the ramshackle structure, they were able tostarvation at the hands of their boyar. He found it almost truly believe that they were watching Ivan Szimin burnimpossible to grasp the Gundarakite tendency to accept for his sins.oppression and hardship without resistance, and was Ardonk, with his head grounded firmly in reality,determined that he would show these men that they could soon ushered them away from the burning cart.take action. Meanwhile, Ivan Szimin struggled to his window, By the time Ardonk introduced himself the farmers desperate for one last look at his assailant. Holding onewere well and truly intoxicated by the potato-ale, and hand to his wound to stem the flow of blood, he used theArdonk’s persuasive arguments soon drove them to other to pull his head up to the window. There, he sawaction. The plan was simple; they would construct a the night lit up by a bonfire. No, not a bonfire—awooden effigy of Ivan, and burn it outside his manor. burning statue, which appeared to be looking directly atBelieving that Ivan was in Teufeldorf for a dinner with him through a black knothole in the wooden head. As hesome Barovian associates, Ardonk also planned to steal caught a glimpse of gold on the torso of the construction,something of the boyar’s to place on the effigy, to ensure realization dawned upon him.that Ivan understood the message. Filled with a rage and hatred of Gundarakites like he While the farmers began piecing together the effigy had never known before, Ivan’s last moments were spentfrom pieces of wood around their farms, Ardonk left to staring into the eye of the effigy.break into the boyar’s home. Unfortunately for Ardonk, Stepan, one of the farmers, turned back not 50 yardsIvan had not made it to Teufeldorf that fateful night, due from the blaze, hearing the neighing of his horse which heto a stomach illness. Instead, Ivan was answering some had left tethered to the cart. Cursing his slow head and

91BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSthe potato-ale, he returned to untie the animal. As he did that it is successfully eradicating the guilty members ofso, his eyes were drawn the towering inferno that they had the populace.created. As he looked up, a loud pop came from the In addition to the cruel deaths of Gundarakite rebels,wood, and the whole structure moved slightly, settling as the effigy of Ivan Szimin is inflicting a more spiritual, andit burned. The movement started the crate representing in some ways more destructive, punishment on thethe head rocking on its “neck.” Stepan stared as the fiery oppressed people of Barovia. Few have seen the flamingcrate slowly spun on the post, the black knothole slowly effigy, and those that have lived to tell the tale havecoming into view. usually only seen it from a great distance, the fiery figure The crate stopped, the single, unblinking eye of the walking away from a scene of destruction. Those few telleffigy staring directly at Stepan through the flames. vivid stories of the glowing skin and the flames that leapt A horrible realization settled on Stepan, making him from the head of the being.drop the reins of his horse, and fall to the ground, The many Gundarakites who have joined thekneeling in front of the figure. Though the heat was Children of the Morninglord are struggling to know whatblistering his cheeks, prayers rushed through his head. As to make of this situation. Some are excited that thehe watched the flaming effigy begin to move, and slowly Morninglord has finally arrived to free them fromstep down from the back of the cart, he could think of tyranny, but most, associating the death of friends withonly one thing to say. the Morninglord’s appearance, fear that they are being “Forgive me, Morninglord!” punished. In many areas where faith in the Morninglord had been strong, confusion now reigns as the peopleCurrent Sketch struggle to reconcile their belief that the Morninglord will save them, with the apparent wrath being visited uponSince the day that boyar Ivan Szimin was murdered in his their people.home near Teufeldorf, and the farmer Stepan Klizera was In a land where faith is one of the few comforts manyfound outside the boyar’s residence, nearly burnt to a people have, this confusion is making the people verycrisp, rumors of strange events have been circulating disillusioned indeed. For the Gundarakite people, itamong the people of the occupied Gundarak. Two of the seems that oppression is a state that they must continue tofarmhouses near Ivan’s residence mysteriously burned to bear.the ground in the weeks after the boyar’s death.Unexplained fires have started in the oddest of places,and in more than one case the residents were burned Personalityalive. The effigy of Ivan Szimin was born of hatred, and as a This is the work of the effigy of Ivan Szimin. After result is rarely capable of any other emotion. It is not,disposing of the remaining two farmers that helped however, an indiscriminate source of violence and deathArdonk Szimin, the golem has begun wandering the lands in Barovia. The creature’s hate is directed only at theof Barovia in search of other rebellious Gundarakites. In growing band of rebellious Gundarakites that dare to actparticular, it is searching for Ardonk Szerieza, or anyone against the Barovians.working with or for him. The golem is surprisingly patient when determining The conspicuous nature of the effigy means that most exactly who its next victim should be. It will sometimesof its movements must be at night. Generally, it will seek watch from a forest for days attempting to identifya hiding place during the night and then spend several whether a Gundarakite is deserving of its justice. Oncedays or more observing the locals, looking for those it that decision is made, however, nothing will prevent theconsiders guilty of treason against Lord Strahd, or the golem from tracking down its victim.local boyars and burgomeisters. As the effigy’s spying must be done from a distance,its methods of detecting those guilty of rebellion are very Combatbroad. Often, the judgment is made simply on the The effigy’s true ferocity is revealed in combat. On thecomings and goings of local Gundarakites, and whether first round of combat with the golem, its wooden frameother known rebels are in regular contact with the begins to smolder. In the second round, flames will beginindividual. The golem has even refrained from killing to lick at the wooden torso, and start spreading over thesome known members of Ardonk’s rebels, using them to rest of the figure. During this time, anyone hit by Ivanlead it to other offenders. suffers an extra 1d2 points of fire damage. By the third Of course, these methods are not perfect, and more round, the entire figure will be consumed by fire, makingthan one innocent Gundarakite (and even some it difficult to even come close to the golem. Those hit byBarovians) have been mistakenly murdered by the golem. the golem once it has reached this stage take an extra 1d4The effigy is unaware of this, however, simply believing points of fire damage on top of the normal 2d6 damage

92 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSper attack. In addition, anyone in melee combat with the Zeitgeber: The effigy of Ivan Szimin is renderedcreature suffers 1d4 points of damage per round from the immobile by the sight of either a burning effigy, or a largeintense heat of the flames. bonfire. On seeing such a fire, the golem will stop and Of course, a side effect of the golem’s inferno is that stare for 2d6 rounds, just as Ivan Szimin did in his lastalmost any nearby flammable material will catch on fire moments looking from his manor window. During thiswhen the golem burns. If the battle is inside a wooden time, it will not react to any provocation. To work, thebuilding, it is almost certain that the structure will soon be bonfire must be purpose-built, and must be in an openburning rapidly. Similarly, if the victims of the golem’s space. That is, a burning tree or a burning cart will notattacks are wearing anything flammable, it is quite suffice. The bonfire must be at least six feet tall, andpossible they will continue to sustain fire damage in later must be burning strongly to have any effect.rounds (as determined by the Dungeon Master). The effigy’s fire can be maintained for 10 rounds(including the round in which it smolders), after which the Adventure Ideasautomaton cannot restart the flames for one hour. Over v The heroes are duped into being part of one ofthis time, the golem gradually changes from being a black Ardonk’s acts of rebellion. (Or possibly they are aand charred back into its original wooden form. willing participant!) In the weeks following the The effigy can also produce flame similar to the event, the heroes are followed by a strange series ofpriest spell of the same name. Rather than create the fiery accidents, in which some recent acquaintancesflame in its hand, however, the golem is able to start the are killed. The effigy is using the heroes as a sourcesflame anywhere within a range of 30 feet. The flame can of new suspected rebels, and is taking revenge ononly be created where combustible material exists. A them. Very soon, the effigy will stop using thefavorite tactic of the golem is to start a fire within the heroes and will take out its revenge on themresidence of its latest target, creating a distraction while personally.the creature enters the building. The effigy can use this v A boyar on the outskirts of Zeidenburg is killed in aability up to three times per day. house fire. Rumors in the town suggest that a fiery The effigy moves slowly for such a large structure, figure, probably the Morninglord, was seen in thedue to the haphazard way in which its limbs were structure as it burned. The heroes are employed byconstructed. As a result, it is generally poor at chasing Zeidenburg’s burgomeister to investigate thesevictims down. Instead, the golem will usually try to trap rumors. While delving into the boyar’s affairs, theyits victims inside a burning structure, using its produce begin to discover he was working with Ardonkflame ability. Frequently, it will lure victims to a building Szerieza in a plot to assassinate the burgomeister.by starting a fire, hoping that its target will come to put Do they reveal the information to the oppressiveout the blaze. mayor and search for the rebels (discovering that the Due to the poor construction of the golem, it can be effigy is beating them to the crunch in most cases)?damaged by weapons of +1 or greater enchantment, rather Or do they decide to assist the rebels, and have tothan the +2 weapons required to damage most RAVENLOFT face the effigy of Ivan Szimin as it attempts to stopgolems. It is immune to all forms of fire, magical or their assassination attempt?otherwise. Like all other golems, it is unaffected by v A priest of the Children of the Morninglord in atoxins or disease, and is immune to all mind-affecting or small village asks the heroes to investigate reports oflife-affecting magic. the Morninglord’s appearance. In uncovering the When the effigy is burning, its greatest weakness is connection between the victims, the heroes learn ofwater. Dousing the figure with a bucket of water will the effigy’s medallion of office. An angryinflict 1d8 points of damage. To do this, the attacker confrontation begins as the cult members startmust be within 15 feet of the golem, and must make a hit blaming Strahd’s officials for the deaths, threateningroll against Ivan’s normal AC. If the attacker enters to plunge the small town into a bloody battle betweenmelee range, the hit roll is made against AC 10, but the the Barovians and the Gundarakites. The heroesaccompanying damage from the fire is taken. must uncover the true cause of the deaths to placate If, somehow, the golem is completely submerged the townspeople before blood is spilled.during one of its infernos, it immediately suffers 6d8 Ndamage and is rendered immobile for 2d6 rounds. Duringthis time, the golem’s normal invulnerability to non-magical weapons is removed. Achieving this can bedifficult, however, as the golem actively avoids using itsinferno ability when near obvious water sources (such asrivers or lakes).

93BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

INESKO KROLOV Mind Over Body by “Tykus the Gladiator” tykus_gladiator@yahoo.com

BIOGRAPHY Inesko Krolov

14th-Level Disembodied Psionicist, Neutral Evil

F or some people, one life is not enough. Armor Class * Str * Inesko Krolov is one such man; for a century and a half, he has been stealing Movement * Dex * one body after another, trading his old Level/Hit Dice 14/ * Con* lives for new. Hit Points * Int 18 THAC0 * Wis 17 No. of Attacks * Cha*Appearance Damage/Attack By weaponWell over a century has passed since anyone has seen the Special Attacks Psionics“real” Inesko Krolov. The body of Inesko Krolov died Special Defenses Psionicsover 150 years ago, but it his soul had already fled that Magic Resistance Nilmoral shell. An accomplished telepath, Inesko has spentthe decades since switching his personality from whatever * Determined by host body.body that he currently possesses with stronger, healthierspecimens. When that body withers too far beyond Psionic Summary: Player’s Option alternatives arerecovery, Inesko trades places with someone new, leaving presented in italics. Several of these psionic sciences andthe psyche of the new body in the old one. The body devotions are fully described in the DARK SUN accessorycontinues to deteriorate (as described under the Switch The Will and the Way.Personalities science description in The CompletePsionics Handbook) and eventually dies. Meanwhile Level Dis/Sci/Dev Attack/Defense Score PSPsInesko lives out a new life in his new body, until time 14 5/7/19 All, All 18 **comes to find another, continuing the cycle. ** Varies between 114 and 195, as determined by host body. See Ghostwatchers, psychics, or the use of true seeing below.spells or other means of detecting spirits or psyches, cansee an image of Inesko overlaid with the body he MTHACO: 5 #Mental Att: 2/1 MAC: 4currently inhabits. Inesko’s true appearance is that of afrail, old man with white, thinning hair, and dressed in Clairsentience - Science: Detectionbedclothes. Occasionally, ghostwatchers will also a see Devotions: See Magic, Sensitivity to Observation,the ghost of the body’s original owner tailing Inesko and Spirit Sensethe usurped body. (These are usually weak first Psychokinesis - Devotion: Molecular Manipulationmagnitude ghosts.) Psychometabolism - Sciences: Complete Healing, Life Draining Devotions: Body Weaponry, Cause Sleep, Cell Adjustment, Flesh Armor Psychoportation - Devotion: Pocket Dimension Telepathy - Sciences: Mindlink, Probe, Switch Personality, Psychic Surgery Devotions: Acceptance, Conceal Thoughts, ESP, False Sensory Output, Impossible Task, Invincible

94 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS Foes, Mysterious Traveler, Sightlink, Soundlink, backfire. Thus Inesko Krolov sought a psionic answer. Psychic Blade As a telepath, psychometabolism was not his strongestMetapsionics - Sciences: Psychic Surgery discipline, even though he did possess some talent in it. Devotions: Cannibalize (remove if using Player’s Eventually, time and death came to claim him. Option), Psychic Blade Laying on his deathbed, Inesko struggled to stay alive. During his final breaths, with his family around,Arcane Option: If you wish to replace the psionics with Inesko heard a dark whisper in the back of his mind:magical equivalents, here are a few suggestions: locate “Youth is wasted on the young. Look at them. Each oneobject, detect magic, detect scrying, detect undead of them is looking forward for you to die so they can(incorporeal types only); shatter; heal (self only), claim a part of what you have spent so long to build.vampiric touch, flame blade, sleep, cure light wounds, They don’t want to prove themselves, just to live in yourspirit armor; seeppockets; telepathy (not a defined spell, faded glory. You could switch your mind with that of onesimilar to those used by fiends and celestials), ESP, iron of these would-be aristocrats. Let that person die in thismind, psychic protection, tower of mental resistance, frail body while you can live out the youth that you lost insuggestion, mass suggestion, change self, phantasmal a new one.”force, mind blank, magic jar (like the ghost ability). A dark glimmer of hope sparked within him. Inesko bid all but one of his relatives, his grandson Alexander, toBackground leave. While Inesko had many grandsons, Alex reminded Inesko of himself when he was of Alex’s age, both inInesko was born the son of a noble family in Darkon. looks and temperament. Inesko believed that by takingWhile growing up, he discovered that he had a gift for over Alex’s body, he could have a second chance at life.psionics. Trained by the finest mentalists available, Inesko caused Alexander to sleep after everyone left, thenInesko became well-known in aristocratic circles as a proceeded to switch personalities. Inesko Krolov’s bodyskilled negotiator and diplomat for the Krolov family. died along with Alex’s soul that night. Krolov wasAfter years of helping his family assert their influence in ecstatic with prospect of being young again, and lived athe region, Inesko became bored and took up the life of new life in the guise of his own grandson. But Inesko’san adventurer as a relief from societal power plays. own treachery and newfound immortality had a price. AHooking up with an adventuring group, Inesko used his foreign personality in the host body causes the body totalents to manipulate foes and extract information from eventually wither and die (as described in The Completecaptured opponents. Inesko adventured for over twenty Psionics Handbook). When Alexander’s body grewyears, occasionally returning home with the accumulated weak, Inesko switched personalities with a traveler andwealth from his exploits to supplement the family fortune. left Alexander’s body to die with the traveler’s soulEventually he retired, the years starting to creep up on trapped within it. Thus began the cycle.him, pushed along by an encounter with a ghost that hadaged Krolov enough to think about his own mortality. Krolov started a family and returned to the Current Sketcharistocracy that had begun his life. Tales of his Inesko has been switching bodies for over 150 years. Inadventures were stock at every party. Children and adults that time, he has learned a few tricks for his new mode ofalike enjoyed the stories, but Inesko missed the existence. First, he only takes over the bodies of trulyadventures and time was catching up to him. rugged individuals, such as warriors. Many of them have By the end of his mortal life, Inesko was a high Constitution scores, allowing Inesko to last longer ingrandfather with many descendants. He was no longer the new body. Second, he tries to avoid taking over theneeded in social circles, nor could he return to a life of bodies of children, since their bodies usually cannotadventure. His experience was for naught in the face of withstand an extended stay. Third, Inesko tries to avoidthe ravages of old age. He actually inspired his taking over the bodies of individuals who have uniquedescendants to take up adventuring as a means to proving skills, such as spellcasting or thieving abilities. Otherthemselves. But for all Inesko’s adventures, he still found than these restrictions, Inesko adventures where hehimself fearing death. pleases; selling his talents to adventuring companies who Ever since the ghostly attack, Inesko had become think him nothing more than an extremely good fighter.obsessed with his own mortality and bitter with the loss of When a host body is close death, Inesko seeks ayears. As a former adventurer, he knew of age-reversing likely candidate (be they male or female) and attempts tomagics and various forms of undeath. Undeath held no get to know the person. If the candidate is a travelerappeal for him, and he knew that he lacked the necessary through the area, so much the better. At some point,skills to become a psionic lich. Age-reversing magic Inesko will try to get the candidate alone with him andcould only last so long, and held the risk of magical proceed to make the switch. Inesko will then administer a

95BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSquick-acting poison to make sure that the “old body, newsoul” doesn’t live long enough to reveal what hashappened. He then arranges to have the old body eitherreturned to the original family for burial or buried in alocal graveyard.

CombatWhile he tries to avoid physical combat, Inesko has allthe abilities of 14th-level psionicist. Due to the varyingConstitution of the bodies he inhabits, his maximumnumber of PSPs varies between 114 and 195 (Con 15through Con 20). Inesko attacks using his own THAC0,but has the hit points of the previous owner. He uses hisown saving throw scores regardless of the body he is in. It should be noted that Inesko Krolov is not undead.He has none of their spell immunities, nor can he beturned or affected by spells that target the undead. He issimply a wandering psyche. However, Inesko is unawarethat he is vulnerable to the resurrection spell. If such aspell is cast on his current body, the original soul willreturn to his host body, and Inesko must make animmediate save vs. death magic. A successful savingthrow means that he cohabitates with the resurrected souland fights a mental war with the returned spirit. Failuremeans that Inesko’s spirit is ejected from his host body.Not only does the host body regain its original soul,Inesko will be resurrected in his original. Unfortunatelyfor Inesko, his original body is buried six feetunderground, and Inesko has no psychoportive psionicsthat could help extricate himself.

Adventuring Ideasv Inesko has taken over the body of one of the player characters, and the original soul of that character is now a ghost. This would be an excellent role-playing situation (not to mention a chance to use the Requiem rules). Have the player play Inesko, while you control the ghost. Who’s the real villain?v A trail of unexplained deaths has occurred over the course of a few years in a town. The heroes discover that the mysterious deaths have been going on for decades; people have been slowly wasting away, always one victim at a time.v Once every year, Inesko returns to the site of his own and Alexander’s graves. Local townsfolk have noticed this cycle of yearly visits to the two graves by a different person each time. Why is it a different visitor every year? The Krolov family wants to know: Did Inesko sire other descendants during his adventuring days?N

96 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

BEAUTY’S GARDEN Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down by Jaleigh Johnson jaleigh@atwood-il.com

BIOGRAPHY if showing off a trophy. “They are beautiful, are they

not?” Caulden nodded slowly, his gray eyes sad. “Indeed,

C aulden leaned forward, across the length of the crumbling stone bench, listening little one, they are perfect.” intently to the soft voice of his young The child grinned broadly and placed the rose in his companion, his plate mail creaking hand with infinite care. This man was a bit different from slightly in the silence of the evening. the others, she realized. Not many tarried here in her “What is your name, child?” he said part of the garden, and none had deigned to speak to herkindly, his eyes and voice betraying only a hint of at length about her precious flowers.trepidation—or so he hoped. You would do well to She regarded him a bit more closely than usual.remember what it is you converse with, he chided himself Same armor, sturdy clothing—that determined look to thesilently. eye—and a very big sword, just as she remembered with The child regarded him with a mixture of curiosity so many others who had come here before. It must be anand caution. She squirmed where she sat on the opposite awfully powerful sword, she thought soberly, the way heend of the bench, swinging her frail legs carelessly back grasps the hilt so tightly. His eyes were constantlyand forth as she contemplated his question. The dying moving, waiting for some unseen enemy to leap out fromsunlight caught in her unruly mass of hair, and Caulden behind the dense green shrubs and menace them. Sheglimpsed a hint of light, mousy brown that would have no stroked the petals of the bright red blossom in his palmdoubt deepened to a healthy chestnut as she grew older— lovingly; its scent teased her nose and made her gigglehad she been given the chance. Just as quickly the light with pleasure. How could the man look so sad in a placechanged and he could see through her once more to the such as this, she thought . . . then she remembered, andcold stone. He shivered involuntarily. her face fell. “Sarafine.” The voice was whisper-soft and “Are you a knight?” the child asked suddenly.hesitant, but he heard her. Caulden smiled indulgently. “Of a sort, child. Have Caulden swallowed and forced himself to smile you met others such as me?”gently. This was not as hard as he imagined it would be. Sarafine nodded grimly. “Many such. Are you hereSpirit or not, a child was a child, and he was not for the same reasons they were?” She paused andunaccustomed to being around them, nor was he a lowered her voice further, so that he strained to hear her.stranger to dealing with ghosts. He forced himself to “Are you after . . . the Beast?”admit the combination of the two unnerved him more This time the shudder that Caulden had beenthan a little. suppressing became painfully apparent, and he cursed “Is this your garden, Sarafine?” he asked, raising a himself for the momentary weakness. Something in hergloved hand to indicate the rosebushes that surrounded voice—was it disappointment?—chilled him for reasonsthem. Dead and shriveled, the bushes were separated into he did not understand.neatly rotting clusters here and there by crumbling stone “Do you know of this creature, Sarafine?” he askedwalkways and high walls. carefully. “Have you seen it?” The child-spirit brightened instantly and nodded. The child-spirit shook her head quickly; her eyes“‘Tis almost as large as the estate itself,” she declared flashed a sudden, intense blue that made him stare, open-proudly, “and I myself care for most of the land.” She mouthed, before the color faded once again. “I amhopped off the bench and plucked a wilted blossom from forbidden to speak of him. It would go badly, I fear.”its thorny nesting place, displaying it before Caulden as She bit her lip reflexively, as if she could still feel the

97BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSmotion through phantom lips. She glanced about flowers ever seen in the region. The merchant wasfurtively, a look of worry on her face. exceedingly proud and boastful of his prize, and guarded “It is all right, Sarafine,” Caulden soothed, quelling it with such conviction that soon enough only Sarafinethe urge to reach out and comfort her with a touch. “I was allowed inside the garden walls to tend her preciouswill not ask further. I do not wish any harm to come to plants.you.” When a stranger arrived at the estate and demanded “N-no.” Sarafine ducked her head miserably and entrance to the garden, the merchant flew into a rage andlooked as if she might cry. “Not to me . . . to you.” had the man thrown off his property. The stranger was, according to whispered rumors, a wizard who studied the N N N dark aspects of magic and held the power to create potent spells. Vowing revenge on the merchant, the man—who The legend of Beauty’s Garden, its enchantment, and was indeed a wizard—returned to the estate late oneits unfortunate fate is a well-known one to the people of evening and set the garden ablaze. Horrified, SarafineThornvale. In a small village where gossip and whispered ran blindly from the house and into the garden in a vaintales spread like wildfires across the vast, empty fields of attempt to save her flowers. The wizard watched inthe countryside, this story is the most oft-repeated and shock and awe as the flames spread, but failed tosurely the most tragic. Little known is that while the earth consume the roses. He concluded that the rumors aboutbeneath this once lush landscape can no longer bear any the land were true and that the garden was indeedsemblance of life or beauty, the garden itself still stirs, enchanted. Further enraged, the wizard invoked a darkguarded and cared for by two very different pairs of spell of his own creation that caused a black, chokinghands—one loving, one sinister. mist to seep into the flowers and the earth beneath them. The magic corrupted the land’s enchantment and slowly

Sarafine killed everything that lived within the garden walls. As

the flowers rotted and burned away, the wizard could3rd Magnitude Ghost, mutable, Lawful Neutral have sworn he heard screams of anguish, as if the gardenArmor Class -2 (4*) Str N/A itself was crying out in agony and hatred.Movement 12 Dex N/A In the morning, the garden had become a twistedHit Dice 7 ConN/A mockery of its former glory. Sarafine was not seen again,Hit Points 34 Int 12 and was presumed to have died in the fire along with herTHAC0 13 Wis 10 roses. To this day, the roses and plants exist in aNo. of Attacks 1 Cha13 perpetual state of rot, and the stench of decay fills the air.Morale 7 XP 7,500 The soil is corrupted beyond any hope of recovery, ableDamage/Attack See below to support only the hardiest of weeds.Special Attacks See belowSpecial Defense Hit only by weapons of +2 Appearance enchantment or higher Sarafine appears as an incorporeal child-spirit, standingSpecial Vulnerabilities See below 4’4”. She dresses in a flower-patterned sun-dress that isMagic Resistance Nil* AC vs. ethereal opponents torn and infested with brambles. Her hair is long and tangled and her hands and bare feet are scarred with large, ugly slash marks that appear to have been made byBackground thorns. Occasionally, Sarafine is able to assume a semi-There was a time that the roses in Sarafine’s garden tangible state. This seems to occur without any consciousbloomed as beautifully as she claims. Centuries ago, as thought on Sarafine’s part, and most often occurs whentimes of turmoil and financial hardship descended upon she is tending her roses. It should be noted that Sarafinethe surrounding lands, a wealthy merchant purchased a looks much as she did just before her death, save that shetract of land deep in the countryside as a safe haven for bears no visible burns, though she is presumed to havehimself and his family. The land boasted only a small died in the fire that spread through the garden. Theestate large enough for himself, his wife and their reason for this is unknown.daughter Sarafine. The area also contained, to youngSarafine’s delight, an immense, walled garden with soilthat was so fertile that local folk claimed it held magical Combatproperties. This seemed to be confirmed when, with very As a ghost, Sarafine is now immune to all manner oflittle tending by Sarafine, the garden produced the largest biological spells, can be harmed only by magical weaponsand most impressive display of roses and other exotic of +2 enchantment or higher, and can become invisible

98 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSand pass through solid objects at will. As a thirdmagnitude ghost she rejuvenates to full hit points at will Backgroundin one round, leaving her unable to perform any action for As the wizard’s dark spell and the fire’s flames consumed30 minutes. She also has the ability to cause paralysis the magical garden and Sarafine with it, an inexplicableand charm person and mammal as per the spells. While and terrible side effect occurred as the twoSarafine has these powers and abilities readily at her enchantments—one for fertility and life, one fordisposal, she has never consciously used any of them. destruction—mingled together. A strange sentience wasFor all intents and purposes, Sarafine believes she is still born, in the form of a malevolent and vengeful spirit,a child and tending a flourishing rose garden as she did in from the deaths of Sarafine and her beloved garden. Thislife. spirit of the garden has no other goal save to terrify and slay all those it encounters in vengeance for what was done all those years ago. It keeps Sarafine within theCurrent Sketch garden as a lure for its victims, even as she tries to warnSarafine “lives,” plays, and tends her roses in her current them off. In truth, the “beast” fears the child-ghost morestate in much the same way she did while alive. In her than most, as it believes she may one day recall the eventsmind’s eye, the garden flourishes under her care and the that led to the destruction of the garden and her ownworld outside the garden walls simply holds no interest demise. In doing so the Shadow fears she would revealfor her. The memories of her own death and that of the its weakness to outsiders, giving them the key to itsgarden seem to have been blocked completely from her destruction. Thus it guards her carefully, surrounding hermind. Not only does she not realize she is a ghost, but with illusory flowers that she tends with joy and care.she is unaware of the dangerous powers she nowpossesses. However, Sarafine is painfully aware that sheis not alone in her world, and has taken it upon herself to Appearancewarn away travelers who seek entrance to the garden in The garden ghost appears to its victims and to Sarafine asorder to confront this shadowy presence that she refers to a vaporous, shifting cloud of black mist that hangsas a beast. Sarafine is terrified of this dark presence, oppressively over the darkest portions of the garden. Itwhich manifests itself to her as a black, vaporous mist has no humanoid form, and maintains the illusion—bornthat smells of rot and decay. It watches over her of Sarafine’s fear—of being a “beast” to frighten theconstantly and has thus far succeeded in destroying all child-spirit into complete obedience.those who venture within the garden walls, despiteSarafine’s desperate attempts to warn visitors away. The Combatorigin of the Beast can be traced back to the night of the As a ghost, the Garden’s Shadow is immune to all mannergarden’s demise. of biological spells, can be harmed only by magical weapons of +2 enchantment or higher, and can becomeThe Garden’s Shadow invisible and pass through solid objects at will. It rejuvenates to full hit points at will in one round, leaving(The Beast) it unable to perform any action for thirty minutes. The ghost also has the ability to create illusions to fool the3rd Magnitude Ghost, Semicorporeal, Chaotic Evil sight, smell and touch of its victims (resembling theArmor Class -2 (4*) Str N/A effects of the 5th-level wizard spell advanced illusion).Movement 12 Dex N/A The spirit has used this power to successfully keepHit Dice 7 ConN/A Sarafine within the garden walls, tending her roses as ifHit Points 40 Int 12 both she and they still lived and flourished. It also has theTHAC0 13 Wis 14 ability to cause wounds for 1d8 points of damage, andNo. of Attacks 1 Cha7 can drain the life energy from its victims with a touch,Morale 14 XP 8,000 draining 1 level with a successful attack roll. TheDamage/Attack See below Shadow’s greatest weakness is its vulnerability to magicalSpecial Attacks See below fire. The garden was consumed by flames and dark magicSpecial Defense Hit only by weapons of +2 centuries past, and can be destroyed again in this same enchantment or higher way. The Beast’s greatest fear is that this well-kept secretSpecial Vulnerabilities Magical fire will be discovered and put to use one day.Magic Resistance Nil* AC vs. ethereal opponents Current Sketch

99BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSAt present, the garden spirit continues to claim victimswho are attracted by the legend of the enchanted gardenand its ghostly child caretaker. It has successfully keptSarafine close at hand and oblivious to her ghostly stateand the condition of her surroundings through illusionsand fear. No other being has entered the garden incenturies and escaped alive.

N N N Caulden stood and bowed low to the child-ghost as ifshe were a regal lady and not a thing of mist andshadow—a spectral image of a girl who was long deadand obviously did not realize it. It was all he knew to do.“Do not cry, little one,” he said, hand still on his swordhilt. “After this night, I vow this beast will trouble youno more.” Sarafine forced a smile onto her face once more.She was touched by his gesture but knew it was useless towarn him away. They all turned out to be the same, inthe end, and the beast would have this one as well.N

100 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

CYRAN DEVICHI Faith Corrupted by Death by Charles Phipps tcp@zoomnet.net

BIOGRAPHY extreme zeal and dedicated himself to it with a passion

that surprised all that knew him. At an early age, Cyran decided he would fight for his

C yran Devichi was a pious servant of Ezra in life, death, and beyond the grave. His faith, although he was not a true paladin. His zeal devotion survives even now, but like eventually led him to apprentice himself to a wandering Devichi himself, it has been corrupted by warrior, whom he hoped could teach him the skills (but undeath. not the habits) of a soldier in preparation for the day he could put them to the Lady’s service. A few years later, when Cyran was eighteen, he andCyran Devichi the warrior joined together with a traveling group ofFledgling Vampire, Lawful Evil Ezra’s faithful in the domain of Richemulot, where theArmor Class -3 Str 18/63 group suspected a diabolic presence. In truth it was a nestMovement 12, fl 18 Dex 15 of creatures that assumed the shape of rats by night andLevel/Hit Dice 8+3 Con16 walked like men in the day. Many of the band died thatHit Points 59 Int 12 day, including Cyran’s mentor, but a few of the creaturesTHAC0 11 Wis 13 were destroyed. Cyran joined with the adventurers for theNo. of Attacks 1 Cha15 rest of his life . . . which would be tragically short. AfterDamage/Attack By weapon or 1d6+4 many encounters with the most disgusting of evils, bothSpecial Attacks See Below human and otherwise, Cyran and his companions beganSpecial Defenses See below tracking a vampire known only the “Lilan.”Magic Resistance Nil The Lilan was a man who used his powers to seduceXP Value 8,000 women into carnal pleasures, and left men (often the husbands and fiancees of those whom he seduced) maimed or murdered. Not even bothering to concealAppearance himself, the Lilan confronted the band and questionedCyran looks like a handsome warrior entering the prime them several questions about the reasons behind theirof his life. His features are somewhat worn and rugged pursuit. Neither instantly assaulting them nor trying tobut not altogether unhandsome. He wears the studded terrify them into senselessness, the Lilan merely seemedleather armor of a soldier, which often shows the signs of curious.wear and long campaigning. He wears his raven-black Expecting a trap and unsure of what to do, the grouphair somewhat long, his skin is pale, and his eyes are a stalled for time, trying to pry answers from their foe.deathly cold blue but for occasional flashes of strong Eventually, Cyran could stand it no longer and chargedpassion. Cyran is also never seen without his broad the villain. The battle was swift and in the end all ofsword. His voice is cool and seductive but he almost Cyran’s compatriots were martyred in Ezra’s service.never speaks in these soothing tones, preferring the The Lilan then drained Cyran dry and allowed him to risespeech and volume of a firebrand preacher. again. Horrified by his new state, Cyran clung to his faith (even though the symbol of Ezra burned in his hand likeBackground fire) and lay on the ground in a fetal curl, praying with all of his might.Cyran was born in Borca some sixty-seven years ago, the All Cyran was able to do was ask a simple, “Why?”.child of devoutly religious followers of the blossoming The Lilan explained, in condescending terms, that he hadChurch of Ezra. Cyran embraced the faith himself with been examining humanity’s potential, and out of his

101BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSgroup Cyran seemed to have the most fire. The Lilan had aversion to garlic, etc.), but also in that he is unusuallybrought Cyran into undeath simply to see how he would prone to stigmata, using a blessed symbol of Ezra hereact. The Lilan then left, leaving the newly transformed keeps tucked away to burn himself nightly. He keepswarrior lying alone. Cyran lay where he was until hunger these marks hidden, but they are ever-present on hisdrove him into the countryside. As fate would have it, a body. The pain they inflict are his ways of showing hisgroup of sheep thieves were the first to slake his thirst. devotion.Though initially disgusted, Cyran eventually rationalizedhis existence. All things had their place in Ezra’s GrandScheme, so she would not have taken Cyran into this Combatunholy state without some purpose. Cyran refused to The threat Cyran poses in combat is nothing to be trifledassociate his own new existence with the monsters he had with. He possesses all the traditional vampiric powersdestroyed in life; surely, they had been cursed by their save the power to transform into mist; instead he can turnown actions. Therefore, Cyran decided he was meant to into a flock of ravens, an ability believed inherited frompunish the guilty and serve as an example to others, the his sire. Any stake driven through his heart must be madescourge of Ezra’s will. of ash; wood from any other tree has no effect, another The young warrior had just crossed the line benefit believed to be inherited from the Lilan.separation devotion and piety from fanaticism and Cyran specializes in the broadsword (+1 bonus tomadness. use, +2 to damage). His blade was actually created by an anchorite from the Nevuchar Spring sect, a failed attempt to create a holy avenger. Cyran managed to acquire theCurrent Sketch sword, believing his faith would make it pure. The bladeCyran is unrepentant of his murders, selecting and killing acts as a broadsword +1 and radiates protection fromthose among humanity he believes deserve to die, and good when held by any evil-aligned being.executing then in what he believes to be divine justice. Those who examine the sword closely will see theThe crimes that are worthy of death in Cyran’s eyes can numerous flaws in the runes and symbols inscribed uponbe quite minor, but he looks out particularly for those it, the priest’s faith having been somewhat in question bywhom have truly sinned: blasphemers (of Ezra), thieves, the time of the final enchantment. However, Cyran isadulterers, murderers, and the like. He has only totally convinced that it is as holy as he has “made it toencountered two supernatural creatures besides himself in be.” Cryan is also proficient in nearly a dozen otherthe time since his crossing into undeath, a werewolf and a weapon types which he has trained extensively in sincevampire only slightly older than himself. He destroyed his transformation, including the crossbow, dagger,both of these creatures without mercy. longbow, mace, morningstar, and most sword types. He Still devoutly religious, Cyran moves from town to usually only has one of these weapons on him at anytown as a traveling “judge, jury, and executioner” of evil. given time, but should he acquire a magical weapon fromHe prays on hilltops and other natural places due to the those he slays he is likely to be skilled in it.“discomfort” actual holy places cause him. He usually Due to his association with the Lady of the Shield aseeks shelter in caves or in the cellars of homes of the lawful evil priest of Ezra has a +2 bonus in attempting tofaithful (who usually view him nothing more as a control Cyran. On the other hand, the vampire enjoys awandering preacher and pilgrim with odd habits). Once +2 bonus to resisting any turning attempts by a good orhe has established a lair, he seeks out those whom he will neutral anchorite. The bonus also applies to those simplyfeed upon. In the rare cases when he does not discover presenting Ezra’s symbol against him.someone “worthy” of punishment, he will refrain from Cyran’s touch is especially dangerous, drainingfeeding, what he considers to be a holy fast. However, Strength from those he battles. With every successfulCyran’s extremely loose interpretation of the teachings of attack he makes with his bare hands, he permanentlyEzra means it is very rare for him to find no one worthy drains 1 point of Strength from his target. However, heof punishment. prefers to wield his sword in melee, and will use his Publicly, Cyran presents himself in a very positive draining touch only when he needs to feed.light, often making large donations to the churches of Cyran will not fight any forces he believes to beEzra he encounters. He typically tithes 90% or more of “totally pure,” preferring to retreat instead. However, thishis income, all of which is of course taken from his is extremely rare; Cryan may rationalize attacking thosevictims. When not seeking victims, he evangelizes at who actually are pure by convincing himself their faith isnight to all those who will listen to him, and woe be to false and any true warrior of Ezra would recognize thethose who disagree with his depictions of Ezra’s wisdom. personal mission granted him by the Guardian in the Cyran’s vampiric nature can be detected not only in Mists.the traditional means (no reflection in mirrors, his

102 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSAdventure Hooks Cyran may come to respect and trust the heroes as well, assuming all are faithful and good, andv The heroes discover that a man suspected of stealing eventually reveals himself and offers himself as an from a local temple of Ezra has been found brutally ally. The heroes must then decide what to do about beaten to death and drained of all of his blood, their ally when his murderous dark side comes to though the latter may not be immediately obvious light. due to the severity of the wounds. Several more v Cyran’s grip on his sanity has grown perilous. As he bodies begin to turn up, and in each case, some grows in power as a vampire, he has become more untold sin comes to light about the victim. These and more delusional, imagining himself to be Ezra’s “sins” may involve others, who will themselves soon “chosen one.” Indeed, he has even begun to see be killed. Cyran has decided that due to the hallucinatory visions, and as his madness deepens he “absolute blasphemy” of the thief he recently slew, even comes to believe he has been granted the power something truly wicked must be festering. He has to raise the dead (in truth, nothing more than the decided to wage a one-man inquisition on the local transformation of his victims into more undead like populace to root out the source of this “evil.” While himself). The vampire’s wickedness has grown secretly preying upon these “sinners,” Cyran will strong enough to attract the attention of the local publicly rail against those who have “brought this domain lord (who notices Cyran virtually ruling over terror upon us all” in his guise as an itinerant a small town). The heroes are therefore hired by the preacher. Any and every theft, liaison, swindle, lie, lord to investigate and “debunk” Cyran’s rapidly or other questionable act will soon set the growing religious movement. Assuming the heroes townspeople against one another as they more and discover the horrifying truth behind Cyran’s more desperately try to uncover the source of the movement, they must somehow escape with the killings. While Cryan thrives in this atmosphere of information or try and break his cult-like hold on the paranoia, the heroes must put a stop to him—before populace, now maintained by religious devotion and they appear on his list of sinners. pandemic use of his charm gaze. Those who attackv Cyran and the Lilan have both arrived in the same Cyran directly may find him a deadly dangerous foe; city. This could be coincidence, or the machinations given his new gifts . . . of the elder vampire. Two sets of corpses have N begun to pile up: half the victims are considered “sinners” and rogues, while the other half are generally considered to be the moral backbone of the city. Cyran alone recognizes that the Lilan is slaying those who will not succumb to his evil, and soon shifts his hunt from mortal sinners to Lilan, quite possibly the first goal truly in accordance with Ezra’s will he has pursued since his transformation. Unfortunately anyone strong enough to resist the Lilan’s seduction thus becomes fair game for Cyran. Since the heroes are unlikely to suspect two independent vampires, their chances of stopping either becomes markedly slim. The heroes may also face a new menace if Cyran decides that he must create a “pure” ally to join his quest against the Lilan. Or even worse, that the Lilan takes the same interest in one of the heroes that he did with Cyran.v The party has been overwhelmed by an evil creature when Cyran comes to their rescue, destroying it utterly. Weakened, the heroes are taken by the vampire to someplace safe (assuming they do not blaspheme in the interim). Their savior then leaves as mysteriously as he arrived. These events may play themselves out several times, with the unprepared heroes being rescued by this mysterious and helpful figure. The heroes may begin to slowly unravel Cyran’s past and develop sympathy for him. Indeed

103BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

ELENI OF TOYALIS The Heir-Apparent of Hazlan by Steve Miller ergothian@aol.com

BIOGRAPHY Eleni was born to laborers in Toyalis. She spent her

childhood dreaming of a life where she and other Rashemi didn’t have to bow and scrape for the effete,

A lthough charming and intelligent, Eleni of Toyalis is evil to the core. She willingly tattooed Mulans. Shortly before her sixteenth birthday, serves one of the most evil spellcasters in after she watched her father be forced to wash the mud the Demiplane of Dread, helping him from a Mulan woman’s boots with his finest shirt, she toward a goal that she hopes will lead to decided she would bow no longer. She went into the the genocide of an entire people. street and resolved that she would make any Mulan she met step aside from her path rather than she stepping aside from his. If she was attacked by one of theEleni of Toyalis oppressors, she would die fighting him.Apprentice to Hazlik the Red Wizard The first Mulan she encountered was Lord Hazlan,6th-level Human Invoker, Neutral Evil the supreme master of her homeland. Still, the rebelliousArmor Class 10 Str 10 teen kept her resolve. Rather than ordering her slain,Movement 12 Dex 13 Hazlan struck up a conversation with her. Within tenLevel/Hit Dice 6 Con12 minutes, he invited her to travel with him to the villageHit Points 19 Int 18 Ramulai, where he would subject her tests, and, if sheTHAC0 19 Wis 14 proved to have an aptitude for magic, he would take herNo. of Attacks 1 Cha15 on as an apprentice.Damage/Attack By weapon or spell Eleni proved to have a strong talent for sorcery. SheSpecial Attacks Spells (5/3/3) quickly took to the arcane arts, and eventually masteredSpecial Defenses Stoneskin, cast at 12th level them to the point where Hazlik permitted her to help in (protects from 8 attacks) the instruction of apprentices. Further, the old wizard andMagic Resistance Nil the young woman grew to be fast friends, as it soon became apparent that they both despised the Mulans. He confided in Eleni that some of their number humiliatedAppearance him to a degree that still tortures him to this very day.Eleni is an exotic beauty, with hawkish facial features. When Eleni suggested that she should adopt Mulan dressShe stands just over 5’ in height and has the dusky skin and fashion to spite them, Hazlik loved the idea. Notand dark eyes of all Rashemi, the racial and ethnic group only did it mock the Mulan beliefs, but he saw it as theto which she belongs. However, her head is shaven and first step along a path that he had been scouting for years,covered with elaborate tattoos that flow from her scalp a path to revenge over Mulan everywhere.and onto her shoulders and chest. Typically, such fashion Eleni was tattooed both with traditional Mulanis reserved only for Mulans, the dominant ethnic group in tattoos but also with magical sigils of Hazlik’s ownHazlan, and Rashemi and Mulans alike are often creation. Hazlik was so delighted in the scandal that herscandalized when they first meet her. More disturbing to new appearance caused that he started giving her politicalmany, many of her tattoos resemble magical sigils, but no power, even allowing her to sit at his side when he meetsone has been able to discern what their significance is. with council of advisors. No one dares criticize her openly, and Eleni’s word is now considered to be equal in weight to that of Hazlik himself. There are evenBackground whispered rumors that she is the aging wizard lord’s lover, chosen heir, or both. Those who have dared to

104 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSquestion the propriety of either Eleni or Hazlik have all an edged weapon, however, there is a 20% chance thevanished without trace shortly after doing so. tattoo is damaged and ceases to function. The truth is that Eleni is indeed Hazlik’s appointedheir and his most trusted confidant. They share a love Typically Memorized Spells: 1st level—chill touch,like that which exists between father and daughter, but comprehend languages, magic missile (x2), shield; 2ndthere is nothing more physical and romantic about it. level—ESP, invisibility, spectral hand; 3rd level—Melf’sTogether, they are executing a complicated plan of epic minute meteors, tongues, wraithform.scope that will send shock waves through the Domains Special Equipment: Ring of mind shielding, ring ofand perhaps even across the Multiverse when it is regenerationcompleted. N Their goal is nothing less than the complete genocideof all Mulan everywhere, both in the Demiplane of Dreadand on the world of Toril, Hazlik’s place of origin. Eleniis as of yet unaware of Hazlik’s complete plan, but shesuspects that some of the magical sigils upon her bodyrelate to it. Hazlik has promised that her part in the planis an important one and when it is executed, he will seethat she becomes lord of a transformed Hazlan.

PersonalityEleni is charming and personable . . . when she wants tobe. She takes an almost pathological delight in shockingothers and will frequently behave in an overtlyprovocative fashion. She is well-educated and her quickwit makes her a good conversationalist and a convincingorator, particularly when she keeps her impulse towardsarcasm in check. If she is trying to win someone over toher point of view, she is a hard person to dislike,something which even those who find her an affront totraditional Hazlani life have to admit. However, there arefew that might find her an affront that she is reallyinterested in convincing to provide her with willingcooperation; in fact, these are the very people she takesthe greatest delight in shocking.

CombatEleni is not much of a fighter and tries to keep herself outof physical combat. If confronted by characters intent onattacking her, she relies on the protection of herbodyguards (1st-level fighters armed with short swordsand whips, 1d6+1 are with her at all times, although atleast six are present if she is expecting trouble) andretreats away from melee. She then uses her spells toassist her guardians in defeating the enemy. Most ofthese guards are Rashemi whom Eleni has known sincechildhood. Eleni has a number of defenses at her disposal,including a ring of mind shielding and a ring ofregeneration that were given to her by Hazlik.Additionally, one of the tattoos that adorn her grants a15% magic resistance to all hostile magic. If she takesmore than 4 points of damage from a single attack from

105BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

THE KNOX FAMILY

Vermin Among Nobility, Nobility Among Vermin by Wes Schneider Dendread@home.com

INTRODUCTION of the house, lording her rule over her servants and parents with screams of rage or faked tears, depending on her desires. But despite their equally bad behavior the

T here has been a long-running joke among the nobility of the city of Nosos that the siblings never grew a fondness for one another; in fact only things more disgusting then the city’s each of the Knox children came to deeply resent the rodents are its peasants. August and Iris other. Knox have proven that this joke is Once August reached his eighteenth year he began horribly wrong. But the Knox siblings attending the frequent masquerade balls held by the otherhave not always been the loathsome creatures they are noble families of the city. He never missed a ball andtoday; some might say that what they were was even found that by hosting masquerades he could gain theworse. attention of not just his family but the entire noble class. Soon August began pouring a great deal of money into creating the most elaborate, controversial, or repulsiveWhat They Were . . . costumes the people of Nosos had ever seen and thusAugust Knox was born the first son of one of the several gained the acclaim he had desired for so long.families of Nosos that had the money and influence to call Iris, seeing the growing popularity of her brother,themselves nobility. The Knox family had made a sizable dedicated herself to showing the masses what a needyfortune from the export of coal and precious ores from the fool he truly was. Despite the fact that her brother waslocal mines and as such was able to spoil young August several years her senior Iris had always been the morewith everything the boy demanded. From an early age studious of the two siblings and possessed a degree ofKnox gained an extraordinary impatience and learned that skill at manipulation which eluded August. Also, usingthe wishes of others were secondary to his own as his money she had stolen from her parents, she had acquiredwealthy parents doted on him. a book of many lesser magical rites. Most of these spells For the first six years of his life young August merely were little more then tricks and sleight of hand, but thereterrorized the house staff, threatening to have his father were several Iris hoped to be able to use someday.remove them if they showed any disapproval in his mean- Deciding to put her skills to use, Iris began sabotaging herspirited jokes. However, his spoiled life swiftly ended brother’s beloved costumes and verbally attacking him inwith the birth of his sister Iris on his seventh birthday. front of his friends, both of which enraged August to no With a new baby to fawn over, August’s parents end.spent consistently less time on him and their gifts became The cunning girl began offering dares to her brotherfewer and fewer. For the first time in his life, young and laying bets against him and his friends, hoping toKnox was not the center of attention and also for the first expose his empty words and deeds. However, with eachtime the boy knew true anger. Iris became the new brunt proposal she was disappointed, her brother using herof August’s pranks within a day of her birth. mean-spirited jests to gain more attention and more As the siblings grew so did their vices. August’s approval. Soon it was a well-known fact that there wasneed for recognition caused his stunts to become more nothing August Knox would not do on a dare.elaborate and malicious with each passing year. When The turning point for both of the siblings’ lives camethrowing his parent’s books into the fire no longer gained on their mutual birthday, which marked Iris’ entrance intohim the attention he desired, throwing in the family cat womanhood. To celebrate Iris’ sixteenth year anddid. August’s twenty-third the Knox family threw their own Iris too gained the bad habits of her brother and masquerade ball and invited all the noble families ofwithin a few short years after she had become the queen Nosos to attend.

106 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS The revelries went on long into the night and by returned to the Knox estate. Thinking only of revenge themidnight the remaining attendees, including August, had unnatural creature climbed the manor walls and brokebecome quite drunk. As conversation normally did at the into Iris’ chambers. August attempted to murder hismasquerades, talk gradually turned to the superiority of conniving sister but her cries swiftly summoned thethe nobility and the general loathing felt towards the manor’s guards and their father. Blaming his parents andlower class. Speaking with more alcohol then sense their perceived neglect for his new curse, AugustAugust made the analogy that the noble class were the slaughtered his father before his sister’s eyes and warnedmasterful lions of society while the lesser classes were that she would follow. Before the guards could surroundmerely weak rodents, to be used and devoured at a whim. the creature, August raced into the night.Iris, her cunning mind working swiftly after hearing her In the days following August’s change, more sadnessbrother’s slurred speech, saw her chance to ruin him. rained onto the Knox estate. Unwilling to live withoutCalling upon August she asked how strongly he believed her husband and broken by the change in her son, thewhat he had said—or was it merely the wine siblings’ suffering mother lapsed into melancholy andstrengthening his tongue? August professed his died three days later, leaving Iris heir to the Knoxwholehearted belief in his words. Leaving the ballroom fortunes. But Iris could not enjoy her new fortune, forfor but a moment Iris returned bearing a single dead rat. now every rat in the vermin-infested city of Nosos boreAgain she called upon her brother and demanded that he the face of her brother, whom she knew would try toprove for the watching eyes of all of Nosos that he claim his revenge.believed his words wholeheartedly and was not just asimple braggart. Goaded on by his sister and the hundreds of watching Current Sketcheyes August had little choice but to do what his sister hadasked. However, after a tentative bite, he found the Iris Knoxcreature was not dead, but instead strangely stunned. The 1st-Level Human Mage, Neutral Evilyoung noble attempted to decline but by that point the Armor Class 9 Str 6urges of his sister and the crowd had become shouts of Movement 12 Dex 16approval. Without a second thought August, his disgust Level/Hit Dice 1 Con9hidden behind his mask, completed the revolting task. Hit Points 7 Int 17And thus the lives both of the Knox children had known THAC0 20 Wis 11ended. No. of Attacks 1 Cha11 Damage/Attack By weapon Special Attacks Spells (1)What They Are . . . Special Defenses NilThe creature had been lurking very close to the gates of Magic Resistance NilKnox manor, intending to follow a drunken guest andmake the unfortunate reveler its meal for the night when a Since the demise of her parents, and with the threatstrange, overwhelming urge to sleep overtook the of her own death hanging constantly over her head, Irisaccursed vermin. has been hiring mercenaries to form her personal Iris had never expected that August would actually bodyguard. Though she has not left the Knox estate sincego through with what she had proposed, she had even her brother’s change, and has no intention of doing soused one of the only spells she had mastered to make sure until his threat to her is ended, she has had notices placedof that. But even as she watched her brother consume the throughout the city requesting skilled swordsmen for herrat, sleeping due to her magic, she had no idea what she bodyguard and offering a reward for August Knox, deadhad done. The curse of lycanthropy normally takes days, or alive.even months to first manifest itself. In August Knox it Iris now spends her days huddled in the inner roomstook mere minutes. of the Knox estate, praying that her brother might be August’s costume concealed his transformation until found and slain so she might return to her privileged life.he fell screaming to the floor. Those that moved to aid It seems that the death of her parents and her brother’shim were lashed out at by the black rending claws that change has affected her young mind in some dire way;had once been the young noble’s hands. With a rat-like she is now known to mutter to herself from time to timehiss, the newly born wererat, confused and outnumbered, and seems to forget the presence of others nearby. Also,crashed through a nearby window and disappeared into no one has seen the young heiress eat or attend to herselfthe night. in the weeks since the masquerade. Iris does not seem to Later that night, after the horrified and despondent feel any personal guilt for her brother’s change, but itguests had left, the creature that had been August Knox remains to be seen if she truly knew the rat she gave her

107BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSbrother was a cursed creature, or if it was merely a time he was content to watch and know that his sisterterrible twist of fate. feared his return and could do nothing but bar the gates against him. But waiting already begins to bore theDescription young noble as he suffers from his own torture. Desiring attention, yet being forced to stay hidden, has ignitedIris has only recently passed into womanhood and as such August’s temper and now he only waits for the perfectis still awkward in form and stature. Standing a scant few moment to strike.inches past five feet, Iris is a plain girl with no truly In his new form August has found that he has theextraordinary features. She wears her long blonde hair ability to transform from his human shape to a half-mantied back tightly a long ponytail, much like her mother half-rat hybrid when he pleases, gaining all of the abilitiesdid. Her eyes are blue, much like the majority of the and vulnerabilities of a normal wererat. Though he haspeople of Nosos, yet in the time since the masquerade heard tales of creatures like himself roaming the city hethey have taken on a wild and nervous aspect. Her long fears seeking them out. This may be because he stillstares are most unnerving to those few who still have clings to a deep-rooted hope that by disposing of his sisterdealings with the young Knox heiress. he might gain back the life that he has truly lost forever. Though only those who attended the fatefulmasquerade would notice, Iris continues to wear the gownshe wore at the ball that altered her life. The gown is Descriptionblack, streaked with white stripes from the waist down When human, August still bears the dashing good looksand random groups of white stars and moons above. and bearing of his noble heritage, but now the dirt andEven though the gown is of an excellent design and smell of the filthy streets of Nosos hide those features.quality it was never meant for the extended use it has Knowing that his sister and others are hunting him as aendured. As such the skirt is tearing in several places and monster, he hides himself under layers of reeking cloththe white designs in the gown are slowly turning gray and for all purposed appears to be a leper. Augustwith collected grime. At this rate it seems that the gown accentuates this look by begging to those he passes. Hismay waste away completely soon if not properly attended unthreatening appearance has allowed him to surpriseto. Ironically, the same seems true of the gown’s wearer. victims much more quickly then standard hunting methods when needs be.August Knox When in his rat hybrid form, August’s bones and skin contort, stretching his face into that of a giant rat,Wererat, Chaotic Evil covering his body with filthy matted fur, extending hisArmor Class 10 (6) Str 15 hands into blackened claws, and producing a long rodentMovement 12 Dex 10 like tail. Though he stands only five feet tall in this formLevel/Hit Dice 3+1 Con12 his monstrous features and gleaming red eyes are enoughHit Points 14 Int 9 to invoke fear in the people of Nosos, who already tellTHAC0 17 Wis 11 stories of the noble vermin who stalks them on the streets.No. of Attacks 1 Cha16 NDamage/Attack By weaponSpecial Attacks SurpriseSpecial Defenses Hit only by +1 or silverSpecial Vulnerabilities SilverMagic Resistance Nil

Since August’s transformation into a lycanthrope he

has become everything that he had always been taught tohate. He now roams the streets as an outcast, poor,lonely, and often hungry, burning with hatred for thesister who cast him not just from the ranks of nobility butfrom the very ranks of humanity. Every night, after he feeds on any poor unfortunatethat crosses his path, he passes by his family home,remembering with longing and hatred that which heendured. He has noticed a growing number of guards onthe property of his former estate and as such does notdare to lay siege to the place as he did before. For a short

108 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS

LIGHTS IN THE FOG

New Champions of the Mists by Andrew Cermak a_cermak@hotmail.com

INTRODUCTION Comte Tomas d’Aloure

7th-Level Human Fighter, Lawful Good

T he Demiplane of Dread is a dangerous Armor Class 10 Str 15 place, with precious few places to turn for relief. Evil is everywhere. You can try to Movement 12 Dex 13 flee, but to no avail; the creatures in the Level/Hit Dice 7 Con12 night need not follow you, because Hit Points 38 Int 16 wherever you turn, they are already there. THAC0 14 Wis 15In a land such as this, every solitary individual one meets Morale 12 Cha17who is willing to provide sanctuary or give succor is an No. of Attacks 3/2incredibly precious resource, rarer than sapphires and Damage/Attack By weaponmany times more valuable. Presented here are a handful Special Attacks Noneof those rare, precious individuals. Special Defenses Magic ring (see below) Magic Resistance Nil

COMTE TOMAS D’ALOURE Background

Appearance Comte Tomas d’Aloure was born in 712 into the aristocracy of Dementlieu. A century ago in

T hough recently he has not been looking Dementlieu’s (false) history, the d’Aloures were among well, the Comte remains a handsome and the most powerful and influential of Dementlieu’s noble dashing man. He is in his late thirties, but families, but in recent years the emergence of his hair remains dark black with not a hint Dementlieu’s middle class and the increasing political of gray, neatly trimmed in an almost power of the office of Lord-Governor combined to push military fashion. He is in excellent shape, most of Dementlieu’s noble families into the background,strong and athletic, but his current nervousness and the d’Aloures among them. However, while the title ofanxiety makes him appear less healthy than he actually is, Comte now has little official power to accompany it, thealmost frail; he sometimes appears as if a strong wind d’Aloures have remained a very respected and verymight snap him in two. He is somewhat small in stature, wealthy family, and Tomas was born the sole heir of thestanding just over 5’6”, but his charisma makes him seem family name.taller. The lines that frame his eyes betray the ease with The d’Aloure name flourished under Tomas’which he smiles, but that smile is now seen only guidance. Tomas was charismatic, genteel, and generous,fleetingly. His features are sharp and chiseled, adorned and accordingly became quite popular with both thewith a small goatee and a pencil-thin mustache; he has upper and lower classes. D’Aloure’s growing popularitysome difficulty growing facial hair. He usually wears the attracted the attention of Dominic d’Honaire, who feltcurrently fashionable dark woolen pants, silk shirts and that someone of d’Aloure’s popularity and correspondingtailed coats of Dementlieu’s gentry, but eschews the also influence would make him a useful member of thepopular top hats, which he believes look ridiculous. He Obedient. D’Aloure was invited, along with many othersalways wears a signet ring passed down in his family from of Dementlieu’s upper crust, to a banquet at the Lord-father to son for generations; it bears a stylized letter A, Governor’s palace in Port-a-Lucine. During the banquet,the seal of the d’Aloures. d’Honaire spoke personally with many of the guests, and many of those whom he deemed “worthy” were hypnotically conditioned to become Obedient.

109BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSEventually, d’Honaire came to d’Aloure, and engaged the of conspiracy against him, and he is very interested incharming nobleman in conversation, while at the same discovering its nature.time attempting to dig his hypnotic hooks into d’Aloure’smind. Then, an astonishing thing happened. D’Honaire failed. D’Aloure’s mind was Personalityunassailable. Under normal circumstances, Tomas d’Aloure is Though he hid it well, continuing with the charming, urbane, and genteel. Unfortunately,meaningless pleasantries of his conversation with circumstances are anything but normal for d’Aloure thesed’Aloure, d’Honaire was both enraged and apprehensive days. He is growing increasingly suspicious andover his failure to conquer d’Aloure’s will. Never before paranoid, and with good reason: Dominic d’Honaire ishad he failed so completely to invade the subconscious of systematically dismantling his life. On the few occasionsan individual, and the stone wall around d’Aloure’s he has non-hostile company, he tries to act as ifpsyche worried him greatly. Somehow, he reasoned, everything as well, but only the most obtuse individuald’Aloure must have expected Dominic’s attempt to could fail to see this for the facade it is; his apprehensiondominate him and made preparations against it; perhaps shows in his every word and gesture.d’Aloure might even be an agent of his rival, the D’Aloure is a smart man, and it is clear to him thatmysterious criminal known only as the Brain. D’Honaire someone is orchestrating the sudden turnaround in hisexcused himself, and Lord-Governor Guignol quite life. Though he does not know why anyone would dosuddenly declared the banquet to be at an end. such a thing, the list of who could accomplish it is very The truth behind d’Aloure’s immunity to d’Honaire’s short. He had determined to seek aid in determining forhypnosis is the signet ring he wears. Though he does not certain who it is, after which he will act. Decisively.know it, the ring is a powerful variation of a ring of mindshielding. The Ring of the d’Aloures not only makes its Combatwearer immune to such spells as ESP or detect lie, but Comte d’Aloure has the standard combat abilities of a 7th-also immune to all attempts to charm or otherwise take level fighter. His preferred weapon is the rapier; he isover the will of the wearer, whether the attempt is also proficient with the use of smokepowder weapons.magical, psychic, or mundane hypnosis. He almost never wears armor; among gentlemen, it’s simply not done.Current SketchEver since the banquet three years ago, d’Aloure’s life Using Comte Thomas d’Alourehas taken many turns for the worse. Only a few weeks If they are of good reputation, d’Aloure will likelyafterward, his wife Sara died of an unknown illness. His approach the characters first. He knows of only a fewfriends began to avoid him, and he found himself individuals with the power to so completely ruin his life,suddenly blacklisted from most social events. Most of his but he doesn’t know how to proceed to discover theservants abandoned him. Eventually, what started as culprit. Thus, he has determined to seek out skilledostracism turned into outright antagonism. He dares not investigators to do it for him.leave his estate outside Port-a-Lucine for any significant Why doesn’t he just employ Alanik Ray, the Greatlength of time, as he has been physically accosted by Detective of Port-a-Lucine? That’s a good question, andcommoners the last few times he has stepped out. The one the Dungeon Master will have to answer. Maybe RayComte is absolutely bewildered as to why those who is busy with other cases (perhaps still investigating Vanloved him and called him friend have now completely Richten’s disappearance?), or maybe d’Aloure didclosed their doors to him, and has no idea why the lower approach Ray, and Ray hires the party to do the legworkclasses now seem to hate him so. for him. The reason, of course, is d’Honaire, who has used his At any rate, d’Aloure presents the unknowinginfluence and the many Obedient under his command to characters with the opportunity to match wits withmake d’Aloure’s life as hellish as possible while he Dominic d’Honaire, the darklord of Dementlieu. If theyattempts to ascertain exactly what d’Aloure’s game is. He are clever enough, they may be able to discern thewas also responsible for the death of d’Aloure’s wife, hypnotist’s tight control over the domain. D’Aloure willusing one of d’Aloure’s own servants to poison her. aid them in anyway he can; in addition to being aD’Aloure, for his part, is completely oblivious to competent fighter, he is well-versed in the political andd’Honaire’s involvement in his current situation; even if social scenery of Dementlieu, and can provide them withd’Honaire’s involvement were suggested to him, he much valuable information.would be unable to imagine why d’Honaire would hatehim so. Still, he is convinced that there is some manner

110 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSCONSTABLE STURM ANDROV Androv spit on the cobblestones. “He’s laughing at us. He gets more brazen every time. We’ve got to do something, Ivan. I’m sick of seeing women butchered.Appearance “No pattern, no witnesses, not even one gods-damned

S turm Androv is a physically imposing scream. Just once I’d like us to find one of these girls man, standing 6’4” with broad shoulders before the blood’s dried. Any idea how long this one’s and a barrel chest. He has a wide nose and been here?” a heavily dimpled chin. His dirty blond “At least several hours. Blood’s already turning hair is thick and curly, as is his bushy brown . . . and there was a lot of it.” mustache. As constable of Kantora, he “Take me to it. I want to have a look around.”usually wears ring mail and carries a club and shield. He Sergeant Magiyev led him through the doorway intoalso has a fondness for hats, and wears one at all times. the dilapidated halls. They passed several hysterical Given his rough appearance, others tend to be queans, patiently being questioned by guardsmen whosurprised by how intelligent and well-spoken he is. It is looked decidedly uncomfortable. They also passed athis intelligence that has made him a successful constable, young guardsman being comforted by an older one; thenot his brawn. young man’s face was a disturbing shade of green, and tear trails were streaking down his face. Androv cursedConstable Sturm Androv under his breath. This was hardly the place for a new recruit.10th-Level Human Fighter, Lawful Good Magiyev took him to the end of one of the halls, to aArmor Class 6 Str 16 shadowed room where several of his men busily butMovement 12 Dex 12 carefully took notes and searched for evidence.Level/Hit Dice 10 Con16 Androv stepped into the room. “Out. Everyone.Hit Points 56 Int 15 Sergeant Magiyev and I will take it from here.”THAC0 11 Wis 14Morale 14 Cha10 N N NNo. of Attacks 3/2Damage/Attack By weapon Androv swallowed heavily as he looked at the grislySpecial Attacks Nil spectacle on the bed. This was by far the worst he’d seen,Special Defenses Nil though he knew he’d seen only a fraction of thisMagic Resistance Nil madman’s work. The remains were barely recognizable as human, the face unidentifiable . . . and scrawled overBackground the body in blood was the gruesome epitaph:“You’re sure it was him?” Sergeant Magiyev nodded. “There were . . . things SHEEZ A PRITEE WUN, AINT SHE LADZ?done to the body. Just like with the others. And thewriting is there.” Sergeant Magiyev broke the silence. “He’s either Constable Androv sighed. A light rain pattered getting crazier or cockier.”against the wide brim of his hat as he looked at the Androv smirked. “Both. Men like this don’t just getramshackle facade that poorly concealed one of the most better. They always get worse. And Bane knows we’vepopular bordellos of this seamy side of Kantora. It was given him reason enough to get cocky. Twenty years I’vesomething of a minor miracle that this “establishment” been constable of Kantora, appointed by Prince Othmarhad not been victimized in the past. Of course, it was that with the endorsement of Sir Tristen Hiregaard, withlack of victimization that had probably made it so popular catching this man my number one priority. Twenty years,in the first place. and we have barely the slightest shred of hard evidence. “We should have shut these places down years ago. “It shouldn’t be possible. How can a man kill soCut this bastard off at the source.” often and never leave a single witness?” Sergeant Magiyev shook his head. “You know better Magiyev shrugged. “Could be there have beenthan anyone that it’s just not possible. Not only would it witnesses. People in the slums aren’t very forthcomingtake more men than we’ve got to close the bordellos, it with the guardsmen, and even less so when it comes towould put the lower classes in an uproar. And the whores murderers. Fellow who’d do this surely’d have nowould just go underground anyway. It’d make it harder problem gutting a snitch.”to keep tabs on this maniac.” Androv shook his head. “Too pat. Too simple. I’ve been chasing him for twenty years as constable, and ten or

111BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSso before that as a guardsman, but he’s been killing for a will do anything to stop the madman from taking anothermuch longer time now . . . since Hiregaard was still life.personally leading the guard. That’s what? Sixty years? Androv is for the most part honest and forthright asSeventy?” constable, but his experiences as a guardsmen have taught Magiyev nodded slowly. This was the aspect of the him that principles must sometimes be sacrificed in thecase that made everyone nervous. name of practicality. Kantora has little in the way of civil “And he’s hit every major city in Nova Vaasa in that rights protection as it is, so Androv is generally free totime. What’s all that say to you, Ivan?” deal with criminals as he sees fit. He and his guardsmen Magiyev didn’t even pause to think. “More than one have little compunction about roughing up accusedman, sir. Copycats. The original’s probably been dead criminals, especially violent ones.for decades.” Androv nodded. “That would certainly seem logical,on the face of it. But tell me, Ivan; how is it that we’ve Combatnever caught a single one of these copycats? How Sturm Androv has the standard combat abilities of a 10th-possible does it seem that everyone who chooses to level fighter. He rarely has to enter combat if he doesn’timitate this fiend is equally stealthy, equally clever and wish to, however; anyone wanting to attack him will haveequally slippery . . . and, incidentally, can perfectly to wade through the half-dozen or so guardsmen thatimitate his handwriting and grammar, such as it is, despite accompany him most of the time.the fact that we’ve never released his ‘statements’ to thepublic?” Using Constable Sturm Androv Magiyev sighed. “Not very likely at all, sir.” Even though Androv is a very busy man, he doesn’t take “No, not very likely at all. Bloody impossible, I kindly to vigilantes trying to ease his workload.should say.” Therefore, anyone who plans to investigate any other Androv looked up from the body, staring Magiyev in crimes in Kantora had better get his permission. If hethe eyes. “We’re dealing with something inhuman here, finds the adventurers trustworthy, intelligent andIvan. Gods help us all.” competent, he will welcome whatever help they can give “Now let’s get her out of here.” him. If the characters aid him in solving a difficult case or apprehending a dangerous criminal, they will earn hisCurrent Sketch respect, and will return the favor in whatever way he can.Sturm Androv is the constable of the Kantora City Guard. As constable of Kantora, he can be a valuable ally.He is therefore responsible for the prevention of andsolving of crimes within the city. It should thereforecome as no surprise that much of his resources are FATHER LUKAS DUREMKEcommitted to apprehending the murderer known asMalken. Appearance

F Of course, Malken is not the only criminal that ather Lukas looks nothing like the typicalAndrov must deal with. Malken does not kill every day, Banite priest. Eschewing pomposity, heor even every month. Therefore, the majority of tends to wear simple, sturdy clothingAndrov’s time is taken up with other crimes. Of course, much like those worn by laborers oras constable, he only gets personally involved in the most farmers. He is short (5’7”) and stout, withserious of crimes within the city. Regardless of what case chestnut brown hair, hazel eyes and a calmhe is currently working on, however, any new expression and demeanor.developments involving Malken garner his immediateattention. Background Lukas Duremke was born in a Nova Vaasan hamlet whichPersonality was little more than a trading outpost for travelersSturm Androv is gruff and no-nonsense; his lack of between Egertus and the domains to the north. The smallhumor is legendary among the city guardsmen. He tends village had a great deal in common with its Tepestanito be somewhat surly; his fellow guardsmen know that neighbors; the people were insular, provincial and verythis bad temper is a result of the deep responsibility he much concerned with tradition, almostfeels to the people and city of Kantora. His failure toapprehend Malken weighs heavily upon his mind. He Father Lukas Duremke 7th-Level Human Priest of Bane, Lawful Good Armor Class 10 Str 12

112 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSMovement 12 Dex 11 line. This Bane cared for hard work only when itLevel/Hit Dice 7 Con11 benefited the powerful, who were free to walk across theHit Points 29 Int 16 workers’ backs. This Bane cared only for theTHAC0 16 Wis 18 responsibility of the ruled to the ruler, and not the ruler toMorale 12 Cha15 the ruled. This Bane was a stranger.No. of Attacks 1 For a brief moment Lukas’ faith was shattered.Damage/Attack 1d2 Then, he decided that the writings must be false.Special Attacks Spells Lukas was perhaps imprudently vocal about hisSpecial Defenses Spells opinions, and after repeated beatings and canings he wasMagic Resistance Nil thrown out of the cathedral at the age of fifteen. If anything, this only increased Lukas’ fervor andpuritanically so. Lukas’ family was no different, and indignation. He had grown contemptuous of theLukas grew up with a healthy dose of rules and religion. pampered priests and their hypocritical doctrines, and onThe worship of Bane, in particular, was an important part the street corners of Egertus he began proclaiming it.of Lukas’ upbringing. Loudly. He criticized them to any who would listen for Lukas’ parents were firm followers of Bane, and the wealth they hoarded while people starved on theLukas was raised with the same devotion. The concepts streets, for the shroud of mystery they dogmaticallyof justice, hard work, and responsibility espoused by the worked to keep between the people and their god, and forvillage’s lone preacher struck a chord within Lukas, and their blind obedience to a status quo that kept the Novahe accepted them wholeheartedly. Vaasan people in squalor. Lukas helped his father farm as a young boy, but Though quite young, Lukas was also charismatic andwhen Lukas reached the age of twelve his parents decided a good speaker, and his message of corruption and theto seek out an apprenticeship for him. The family was need for reform was exactly what many of the peoplegrowing larger (Lukas was the oldest of six) and there wanted to hear. Though he was chased from Egertus bywas simply not enough food and money to go around, and the city guard for his heresy, barely escaping with his life,a local apprenticeship would have helped ease some of he traveled across the domain, preaching the word ofthe burden. Lukas, however, had other plans, and used Bane as he felt it truly was. He has since crusadedwhat little money he had saved up to buy transport to throughout Nova Vaasa and even into Hazlan, and hasEgertus, where he planned to study to become a Banite acquired a small but devoted following despite the manypriest. attempts to silence him. Unfortunately, things did not go as simply as he hadhoped. Lukas was unable to read, and unable to afford Current Sketchschooling to learn how. It hadn’t even occurred to himthat this would prove a barrier; even the village preacher Lukas’ Reformation movement has not exactly caught onhad been illiterate, and it had not kept him from like wildfire, but the 22 followers he has converted aresermonizing. The local clergymen (who awed Lukas with extremely devoted, sometimes too devoted for his tastes;their ornate dress and magnificent cathedral, completely he fears becoming a false idol, and takes great care tounlike anything he had seen at home) were unwilling to emphasize the hand of Bane guiding his actions. Hetake in a backwoods boy who could barely even read a travels constantly, but has established a small church infew words of Bane’s multitudinous scriptures. Aerie, in southern Nova Vaasa. The Church of Bane Lukas proved stubborn, however, and the priests there is considerably more lax than in most of Novadecided to at least give the boy a temporary home in the Vaasa, and he has been given relatively free reign tocathedral, where he was put to work at cleaning and preach his views as he wishes, though the church (knownmaintenance duties. Meanwhile, Lukas took it upon simply as The Reformed Church of Bane; Lukas does nothimself to overcome his handicaps. The boy was go in for ostentation) has been subjected to intermittentpossessed of a keen intelligence which had seen little acts of vandalism.opportunity to express itself on the farm, and over thenext year his agile mind was able to take the few words he Personalitydid recognize in Bane’s scripture and expand them to a Most of the time, Father Lukas is soft-spoken andfairly competent level. reserved, but he can become quite animated when sharing And what he read shocked him. his vision of Bane with others. He sees Bane primarily as The Bane of these books was almost nothing like the a god of law and order, and thus he generally has noBane he had come to know at home. This Bane cared tolerance for those who would disrupt the peace. Henothing for true justice from what Lukas could see,instead using the word as a weapon to keep the weak in

113BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSfinds it ironic that in spreading his message of the true No. of Attacks 3/2Bane, he has been characterized as a rebel and dissident. Damage/Attack By weapon Father Lukas believes strongly in the value of hard Special Attacks Nilwork and responsibility, so much that he can seem stern Special Defenses Nilor harsh in his sermons. He cannot tolerate laziness or a Magic Resistance Nillack of drive in others, any anyone who displays thesesqualities around him will receive a long lecture. Background “Come in.” The raunie’s aged voice called softly fromCombat behind the curtain covering the entrance to her batteredLukas abhors violence. He will not fight even to save his vardo.own life, trusting Bane to protect him. It would take a Hobert Mannon pulled aside the blue curtain andserious threat to the lives of others to force Lukas to raise stepped tentatively inside, a sheepish, self-conscious grinhis hands in violence, and he will always try talking or on his face. He had never had any truck with the Vistanibeseeching the intervention of Bane (in the form of before this day, and he wasn’t at all sure what to expect;clerical magic) first. He never carries a weapon or wears he was also somewhat embarrassed by the triviality of hisany armor. visit. Lukas has major access to the all, healing, The vardo was poorly lit, with only a handful ofnecromantic, sun and wards spheres. He has minor candles within, and the heavy curtain kept out most of theaccess to the spheres of numbers and protection. sunlight. The raunie sat at a table at the end of the vardo, mostly obscured by shadow.Using Father Lukas “Show me your coin,” she rasped. Hobert frowned; it had cost him several coins simplyFather Lukas is a strong believer in helping others; he to be allowed access to the camp, and quite a few more tofeels cooperation is the basis of an orderly society. be allowed to enter the vardo. Apparently a reading wasAnyone seeking refuge or sanctuary can count on Father yet another charge. Hobert reached into his leather coinLukas to provide it. Of course, they’ll have to work for it: purse and dropped a few silver onto the table.maintaining and repairing the church, helping The raunie looked at the coins in front of her, andparishioners with their farms, and so forth. Also, Father wheezed a small noise of acquiescence. She gestured forLukas will try his best to convert any unbelievers under Hobert to take the seat across from her.his care, so adventurers seeking his aid had best be As Hobert sat, the raunie, Madame Katrina, silentlyprepared for many lengthy sermons. appraised him. He seemed large, clumsy, and simple, just like most of the peasants eking out a life along theHOBERT MANNON Musarde here in Verbrek. “You have come for a reading, yes?”Appearance Hobert nodded, that sheepish grin still tugging the corners of his mouth. “The Vistani don’t often seem to

H obert Mannon stands 6’4” with a stop here in Verbrek for very long, and since you were muscular build. He has curly red-brown here, and I was here, I thought I’d get my fortune told. I hair and a thick beard and mustache. He always wanted to do that . . .” His voice trailed off wears a dirt brown tunic and breeches, bashfully. and black walking boots. He also wears a Madame Katrina sighed and nodded. She picked up long gray cloak for when the weather gets her deck of Tarokka cards and started shuffling them, andcold. winced at the pain such a simple motion caused her aged hands. It was customary to allow the one the reading was for to shuffle the cards, but she honestly did not want theHobert Mannon lout to handle her beautifully crafted deck. Regardless, the cards would tell her what she wanted to know; they8th-Level Human Ranger, Chaotic Good always had.Armor Class 7 (leather armor) Str 16 When the cards felt right to her, she laid out fiveMovement 12 Dex 15 from the top, in a line, face down. This was the simplestLevel/Hit Dice 8 Con16 formation for Tarokka readings, and in this case, sheHit Points 54 Int 11 thought as she looked at the man seated across from her,THAC0 13 Wis 14 simple seemed best.Morale 16 Cha13

114 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS “These five cards,” she said as she waved her hand tapped the card and closed her eyes. “It is your fondestacross the table, “contain everything about you that there desire to help your fellow man. Helping others gives youis to know.” That wasn’t strictly true, of course, but she deep satisfaction. You are selfless and compassionate.”doubted there was much to this fellow beyond what these Hobert blushed deeply. “Well, I can’t be no judge onfive cards would tell her. “Your past, your present, your the truth of that. Wouldn’t be proper. I do like to helpfuture, your hopes and dreams, and your very nature, your others, though. That’s part of why I wanted to be a guide.true self. Everything you are, in these five cards.” There’s not much money in it, but I’ve got all I need toHobert’s eyes grew wide and his smile grew larger and live.”even more sheepish. Madame Katrina found herself suddenly starting to “The first card represents your past.” She reached take a liking to this lout in front of her. She smiledout and turned the card over, revealing The Six of Coins, slightly, and reached for the fourth card.The Beggar. No surprise there. She tapped the card “This card reveals your future, that which you shallgently with her finger and closed her eyes, allowing the be.” She paused before she turned the card.meaning of the card to fill her mind. “You come from “Understand, the future is not written. In this regard, thehumble beginnings. You were poor, a peasant, but you cards reveal only possibilities, nothing more.” Hobertwere not content with your lot.” nodded slowly, and she wasn’t completely convinced that Hobert nodded, his eyes as large and round as a he really did understand, but nevertheless she flipped thevardo’s wheels. “That’s true, ma’am. I was born here in card.Verbrek, near thirty years ago. I think it was called The Two of Swords looked up at her. The Paladin.Arkandale back then. I lived in a village called Sable. She tapped the card and closed her eyes. “You shallLife was hard, but not so bad; still, I wanted to travel, to become a warrior for the good. You shall fight to defendbe something more.” the weak against the strong. You shall become a hero, Madame Katrina sighed once more. Some people loved and respected by the people.”had no respect for the magic and mystery of a Tarokka Hobert laughed. Madame Katrina looked at himreading, and insisted on talking throughout. sharply. He stopped laughing, but could not erase the “The second card reveals your present, your life as it grin from his face. “I’m sorry ma’am, but that justis now.” She flipped the card, revealing the Four of doesn’t seem too likely. I’ve been in plenty of fightsGlyphs, The Shepherd. This was something of a surprise. before, mostly against goblyns and such. They like toShe tapped the card and closed her eyes. “You are a attack travelers, figure ‘em for easy pickin’s. But a hero?guide, a warden. You aid the hapless traveler to his Even if I could be one, I’m not sure I’d want it. I’mdestination.” happy as a guide.” Hobert nodded again. “That’s true as well. I hire Madame Katrina regarded him. “Our destiniesmeself out as a guide to those who need one, and there are choose us more often then we choose them.” She reachedmany who do. Most folks are afraid to travel the roads in for the fifth, and final card. “This last card reveals yourthis land, not to mention the wilderness. Even in the more inner nature, your true self, that which may be hiddencivilized lands to the north, people don’t like to travel even to you.” She flipped the card over slowly. It waswithout protection. Me, I’ve never been afraid to wander. The Artifact.Once, as a young lad, some of me friends dared me to She leaned back slowly in her chair. She’d neverspend the night in the woods where the werebeasts live.” seen The Artifact as the fifth card. It was very often theMadame Katrina nodded; the Vistani were all to aware of third card, where it showed that a person’s hopes andthe creatures that called Verbrek home. “No one in the dreams focused on a material object. But the fifth card?village, or any of the nearby villages, I reckon, wanted to She had no idea what that could mean. With somebrave the forests, but I was headstrong, and never refused trepidation, she reached out and tapped the card, her eyesa dare. I slept deep in the woods that night, and returned closed. This reading was turning out to be quite. . .the next morning. Me friends were surprised to see me “Unique.” She whispered as the meaning of the cardalive; they treated me like I was some kind of hero. Ever came to her. “You are unique. You are . . . gifted. Yousince then, I’ve been partial to the forests, and to have a talent, a quality such as is possessed by no othertravelin’.” man.” She continued to tap the card. There was more to Madame Katrina listened to this with some surprise. be told, something this card could not reveal. She pickedShe’d never heard of a lone traveler escaping the notice up her tarokka deck and turned the top card, placing itof Timothy’s packs before. They prided themselves on below The Artifact. It was The Innocent.their . . . thoroughness. She tapped the card, and closed her eyes. Suddenly, “The third card reveals your hopes and dreams, what she knew the nature of his gift. She knew why he hadyou wish to be.” She flipped the card, revealing the Two been able to spend a night in the forests of Verbrekof Coins, The Philanthropist. Now this was unusual. She

115BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSunmolested. She knew that he could do it again, and stick. He also carries a long bow. He wears leatheragain, anytime he wished. armor when he wears any at all. “What is my gift?” Hobert was growing anxious, Hobert can Hide in Shadows at 43% and Moveeager. “Does the card say?” Silently at 55%. These abilities are halved in non- Madame Katrina opened her eyes and looked at him. wilderness environments.She shook her head. “No. I am sorry. I hoped that a Hobert’s Gift of Innocence, as discovered bysixth card might reveal more, but the cards refuse to tell Madame Katrina, is incredibly powerful. Its nature is ame anymore on this matter.” She looked at the silver on mystery, but it protects him in his travels. Hobert isthe table. “You may keep your coin.” completely undetectable to most creatures of the night. Hobert smiled, and shook his head. “Fair payment To the undead and to lycanthropes in hybrid or beastfor services rendered. This was very interestin’. Thank form, Hobert is invisible and inaudible, and cannot beyou, ma’am.” He stood up. detected by them by smell or by magical means. This “You are welcome. Travel safely,” she said, smiling protection is canceled only if Hobert attacks, and evento herself as she watched him leave. Indeed, he would then he becomes detectable only by the creature attacked,travel safely. That was his gift, after all. and not any companions it might have. She would have to send word out. The Vistani wouldkeep an eye on this one. He could prove incredibly usefulin the future . . . Using Hobert If the characters are in need of a guide, Hobert is an excellent choice. He is very familiar with the woodlandsCurrent Sketch of the Core, particularly the southern domains. He’s alsoHobert continues to serve as a hired guide and protector an excellent tracker if the characters find themselves into travelers. He tends to stay in the southern Core, need of one. He is also good in a fight if it comes to that.because it is there that guides are most needed. He likes Hobert appears to have a destiny that has yet to beto return to his home village in Verbrek every few realized. The Tarokka reading and his unusual gift bothmonths; his family (both parents, an older sister and a point to this. The true nature behind his gift hasyounger brother) still live there, and he provides them intentionally been left a mystery. Perhaps Hobert is thewith most of the money he makes as a guide. He himself fulfillment of an ancient Vistani prophecy, or perhaps thehas no permanent residence; he generally prefers to make gift has been given to him by the opponents of the darkcamp outdoors. powers theorized in Lord of the Necropolis. Perhaps it is a legacy of some heroic ancestor, or perhaps a merePersonality accident of birth. Regardless, Hobert has the potential to be one of the Core’s great heroes; will he realize it?Hobert is one of the most humble, selfless people onecould have the pleasure of meeting in Ravenloft. Thoughhe honestly thinks of himself has nothing special, he isgenerous and kind to a degree that the more cynical orparanoid find almost suspicious. He never hesitates tooffer his aid to any who find themselves in need. Hobert is genuinely happy with his lot in life. Heloves the forests of the Core and he finds great joy in THE HON. JAMES MARTIGANsimply traveling. His only dissatisfaction is that the world Appearanceseems not quite large enough to suit his tastes.

J ames Martigan looks as if the weight of Though he lacks sophistication in his speech and the demiplane is perched squarely on hismannerisms, he is not crude by any stretch of the shoulders. He looks every day of his 72imagination, and behaves with a rural gentility that can be years. He has gotten very thin and frailquite charming. He would like to settle down and have a over the past decade, and his health isfamily some time in the future, but unfortunately he tends deteriorating rapidly with age; he nowto get tongue-tied around women. He also blushes easily, requires a cane to walk and rise, and he is prone to fits ofto his never-ending embarrassment. coughing. His face is etched with deep wrinkles and his eyes have little life left in them. His only remainingCombat youthful feature is his hair, which has only just started toHobert has the combat abilities of a 7th-level ranger. His thin and remains a strong steel gray. He has a short grayusual weapon is a stout oak club that doubles as a walking beard, but no mustache.

116 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSJames Martigan about his daughter’s health, James finally decided to send for a doctor. Not just any doctor, but the best in Mordent,0-Level Human, Lawful Good and a friend as well: Dr. Rudolph van Richten. Eager toArmor Class 10 Str 10 help a friend in any way he could, Van Richten visited theMovement 12 Dex 10 Martigan home late that evening —the most horribleLevel/Hit Dice 1 Con11 evening of James Martigan’s life. Memories floodedHit Points 4 Int 14 back with a life of their own . . .THAC0 20 Wis 13 Van Richten listened with rapt attention to theMorale 11 Cha14 symptoms described by James, and concern flooded hisNo. of Attacks 1 features.Damage/Attack 1d2 “It is entirely possible that the behavior you areSpecial Attacks Nil describing is simply a result of the tragedy she hadSpecial Defenses Nil experienced . . . but I have known Sara for years. She isMagic Resistance Nil not the kind of woman to give up on life so easily. Tell me . . . how long have you had these concerns?”Background James thought a moment. “About ten days. Perhaps as many as twelve.”Once again, James Martigan woke up screaming his “Then we had best hurry to her bedchamber . . . anddaughter’s name. pray that I am wrong, for I fear I know the cause of her ill He sat upright, sweat dripping from his face and health.”sinking into his beard, his eyes still closed. Twelve years. The two men hastened up the stairs to Sara’sIt had been twelve years since she had been taken, and chamber door. James knocked softly. “Sara?” Nostill he could not escape the nightmares. response came from within. He knocked again, much He had had every reason to believe that everything louder this time. “Sara!”was going to turn out well. Ever since Megan, his wife Van Richten reached for the doorknob. It wasand Sara’s mother, had died of the consumption while locked. James reached into his pocket, drawing forth aSara was just a child, life had been so difficult for the key. He tried it in the knob . . . and found that it wouldboth of them. He had always felt like he was going not fit. Frowning, he looked at the key, verified that itthrough the motions of being a parent; he had had no idea was the right one, and tried it again. It still did not fit.how to raise a daughter on his own. He was one of the James felt a sudden, irrational fear grow in his chest.richest men in Mordentshire, a brilliant merchant and He began pounding the door roughly with both hands,trader, and he had felt utterly lost. screaming his daughter’s name. Somehow, they had both survived her childhood, and “James . . . is there an ax in the house?” VanSara had become a beautiful young woman. When young Richten’s voice was thick with urgency.Daniel Sherwood had nervously approached him asking “Yes . . . yes. I’ll get it.” James hurried away.for his permission to court her, he had been both sad and Van Richten stood back from the door, calling out tooverjoyed. His little girl had grown up. Sara. A knot of apprehension formed in his stomach. If Sara and Daniel were very happy together, and very this was what he feared it was, they were taking far toomuch in love . . . until one evening, Daniel fell from his long.horse, striking his head on the cobblestones. He never James returned, ax in hand, and before Van Richtenwoke up, and Sara was heartbroken. could say a word he ran at the door, swinging the ax A fortnight after Daniel’s death, James began wildly. The blade bit into the wood once, then twice.noticing some disturbing changes in Sara. She began James brought it back for a third swing, heedless of Vanspeaking of Daniel as if he were still alive. Her eyes Richten’s shouts of warning. He swung the axwould glaze over when talking about him, and her tone forward . . .would become wistful and quiet. This was a far cry from And the door caught it. The door caught the ax. Thethe intelligent, excitable young woman he knew his wood of the door warped and flexed , a gnarled handdaughter to be, but he assumed it was merely a phase of reaching out from it. The hand caught the ax blade firmlyher mourning, and so he said nothing. as the metal bit into it. James screamed and tugged Sara’s behavior soon grew more disturbing. She wildly, but the hand would not release it.spoke of Daniel visiting her in the night. She began to “Ye gods . . . it’s here! The Phantom Lover is here!grow pale and listless, often refusing to even leave her We must hurry!” Van Richten ran forward, placing hisroom. The few times she did leave the house, it was only hands on the ax haft and aiding James in his tugs.to visit the cemetery. Her weakness grew more and more Between the two of them, they managed to roughly pullpronounced with each passing day. Truly concerned the ax blade free. Van Richten grabbed the ax blade from

117BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSJames, and brought it down with all his might on thechamber’s door knob. The knob broke off, and the doorswung open. The two men rushed into the Personalityroom . . . James Martigan has made his quest against the The Phantom stood by the bed, Sara limp in his supernatural his sole ambition. In some way, he feels thatembrace, her arms locked longingly around his neck with aiding others in combating evil grants him a measure ofwhat little strength they had left. “You are too late,” he redemption for failing to save his daughter’s life It iswhispered as he and Sara faded into shadow. “Love can only in hearing about the latest victories of his protégéesnot long be denied . . .” His sinuous voice trailed off into that he feels any degree of excitement or energy.nothingness as he and Sara vanished. Unfortunately, that excitement is often more than James fell to his knees, screaming his daughter’s offset by the guilt and sorrow he feels when news of onename. Van Richten grabbed him and shook him, yelling of his adventurers’ deaths reaches him. He had paid forto get his attention. “The cemetery, James! We must the funerals of seven young men and women over the lasthurry to the cemetery! We can still save her!” decade, and he still makes every effort to visit their Van Richten’s optimism proved unfounded. They graves when he can.ran to the cemetery, only to find one of Sara’s slippers onthe ground, next to Daniel Sherwood’s grave. Sara was Combatgone, forever. James Martigan is completely unsuited to combat. If James and Rudolph had drifted apart after that. faced with an aggressor, he will resign himself toThough he knew it was irrational, part of him could not whatever fate they have in mind; he has neither thehelp but blame Van Richten for not being able to save his strength nor the will to fight.daughter . . . just as he blamed himself. However, James had vowed to himself that day thatothers would be saved. Though he was old and weak, Using James Martiganthere were plenty of the young and strong out there, men James Martigan can serve as a patron for a young groupand women with their own reasons for combating the of monster hunters, serving as a source of equipment andsupernatural. Since his daughter’s death, James Martigan information for low-level characters who otherwise mighthas been an ally and patron to dozens of young monster be unable to find them. In return he expects onlyhunters and ghostwatchers. It is his hope that someday a competency; it takes only a success or two to earn hishero will come forth who can destroy the wicked spirit complete trust and enthusiasm, after which they will findthat preyed upon his daughter’s suffering and eventually him even more generous than before.took her life. Martigan can also put the characters in touch with Then maybe the nightmares will finally end. other young adventurers he is currently aiding, or more experienced ones he had aided in the past, should theyCurrent Sketch find themselves in need of assistance in combating some great threat. His elaborate network of monster hunterJames Martigan, one of the wealthiest members of contacts also provides him with excellent informationMordentshire’s gentry, has devoted his considerable regarding likely sites of hauntings or other supernaturalresources toward aiding those who are willing and able to depredations. Overall, he is one of the best friends acombat the supernatural. His ultimate goal is the monster hunter could have.destruction of the creature known as the Phantom Lover(and, perhaps, the rescue of his daughter’s soul thereby),but in the meantime every blow struck against thedarkness eases a little bit of his pain. MADELINE GALBRAITH Any young person who approaches him with anearnest desire to become a monster hunter and a request Appearance

Mfor aid will receive it. He will provide equipment, adeline Galbraith is an attractive but notexpenses, transportation; whatever they reasonably need. quite beautiful woman in her early thirties.He is still a shrewd businessman, and can smell a Her mahogany brown hair is alreadycharlatan a mile away; additionally, he has turned away a showing some signs of graying, and shefair number of sincere youths who in his opinion were has developed some wrinkles around hersimply lacking. He has no wish to have the deaths of the eyes and the corners of her mouth, butfoolish or incompetent on his conscience. At the moment, these signs of early aging do not detract much from herhe is acting as patron for a half-dozen individual appearance. Because she travels so often, she generallyadventurers, and he is constantly on the lookout for more.

118 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSwears whatever she finds most comfortable for the considered of little value . . . and asking a question aboutjourney at hand. the history of any of the nearby lands generally received no answer other than a baffled stare.Madeline Galbraith When she moved on to the famous Academe de Richemulot, she hoped things would be different, but theyHuman Dual-Class 1st-Level Arcanist/2nd-Level Thief weren’t by any significant amount; in fact, in some ways(Ghostwatcher), Neutral Good they were much worse. The people of RichemulotArmor Class 9 Str 12 seemed to be almost contemptuous of the past, and theMovement 12 Dex 15 records of the “historians” were always vague and oftenLevel/Hit Dice 2 Con10 contradictory once one moved past the last 50 or 60Hit Points 10 Int 17 years. Madeline’s struggles with this ignorance andTHAC0 20 Wis 15 apathy made her look all the more longingly at the ghostsMorale 16 Cha13 of the past . . . and finally drove her to seek a solution.No. of Attacks 1 Dropping out of the Academe before it could do anyDamage/Attack 1d4 or by weapon more damage, Madeline turned to the libraries,Special Attacks Backstab antiquarians and arcaneries, hoping to find some means toSpecial Defenses Nil communicate with the dead. She dabbled in the study ofMagic Resistance Nil magic for a time, but gave up in frustration;Thief’s Skills PP 15% OL 20% FRT 50% communication with the dead seemed to be the province MS 20% HS 15% DN 15% of the priest, not the mage. She then focused her efforts CW 60% RL 15%. solely on antiquarians and occult shops, holding to find some arcane trinket that would enable her to speak withBackground the ghosts. Eventually, her search bore fruit. In a small occult shop in Chateaufaux, MadelineAs far back as she can remember, Madeline Galbraith has traded the remainder of the money that was supposed tonot been like other girls. Normal girls don’t see the have gone to her tuition for a small medallion that theghosts of the departed every time they turn their head. owner swore would enable her to speak with ghosts,She can’t remember the first time she saw a ghost, or even provided she knew the language they spoke in life. Thea time when seeing ghosts struck her as strange or owner also gave her a steel dagger with a silver handle,frightening. They’ve always simply been there, a part of insisting that it was only a matter of time before sheher life as she grew up in Mordentshire. would need it. The ghosts had almost never bothered her, and those Aided by the medallion, Madeline began discretelyfew that did, feeling some long-dead spark of hope re- interviewing a portion of the ghosts she encountered,ignite upon realizing that they could be seen, soon gave searching for every possible detail of the past she couldup in frustration when they realized that they had no way find, helping the ghosts find rest as best she could into communicate. Madeline could not hear the words of return. With the knowledge the ghosts have given her,the dead, though they seemed to understand her well Madeline has actually been able to construct coherentenough. Since they had nothing to gain from her, and she histories of Dementlieu, Mordent and Lamordia, and hadnothing to gain from them, she and the ghosts largely left her findings published. Though there are still gaps to beeach other alone. filled, Madeline’s histories have become quite popular, That is not to say, of course, that the ghosts had no and she has become quite esteemed as a scholar. Ofeffect on Madeline’s life; quite the contrary. Madeline course, no one knows the secret behind her success.found the ghosts fascinating, especially the ones whodressed in strange, old clothing that no one in Mordentwore anymore. These, she deduced, had died in Current SketchMordent’s distant past, and that thought intrigued her. It Before Madeline, history and archaeology were thewas like looking at moving pages of history, and poorest cousins of scientific study in the Core. Thewhenever she saw such a ghost she regretted not being disparate and mysterious origins of many of the domainsable to communicate with them. made historical inquiry seem an impossible task. Despite the disappointment of not being able to Madeline has done a great deal to change that perceptioncommunicate with the ghosts that interested her so, with her clear and specific historical records, though theMadeline’s fascination with history stayed strong. fact that no one else has been able to duplicate herUnfortunately, as a child attending school, history never success keeps history from catching up fully with theseemed to be a subject the teachers considered worth other fields of learning.stressing. Even the history of Mordent itself seemed to be

119BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS Madeline has turned the thrust of her inquiries Madeline studied magic for a time and knows a fewtoward archaeology, for the simple fact that old and spells. Her spell-book contains the following first-levelabandoned ruins often have the oldest and most intriguing spells: comprehend languages, detect magic, read magic.ghosts. Astonishingly, Madeline has been able to find She does not actively seek out new spells; sometimes sheevidences of long dead cultures in domains such as neglects to even carry her spell-book with her.Necropolis, Lamordia and even in Mordent. On a fewrare occasions, she has seen ghosts with appearances andstyles of dress that are completely foreign to anything Using Madelineknown to have existed in the Core. So far, these ghosts There may be no greater authority on the histories of thehave avoided her, but she continues to seek them out. various domains of the Core than Madeline, save perhapsTheir presence is the most intriguing mystery she has yet the lords of those respective domains. If the charactersencountered. need any historical question answered, she is the first With the aid of Vistani caravans, Madeline has person to whom they should turn. How much of hertraveled all over the Core and even beyond, into domains knowledge is “real” and how much is fiction created bysuch as Har’Akir and Sri Raji. Treks such as these are the Mists cannot be known for certain, but in the long rundangerous, and she is always searching for strong and it may not matter. False history is still history as far asbrave men willing to come along for a fee. She has made the people of Ravenloft are concerned.enough money from her books that she need not worry Madeline is even more valuable as a ghostwatcher, if,overly much about the costs of these trips, and what she that is, they can uncover her secret. The signs are there ifdoes spend is usually returned to her several times when one looks closely; Madeline manages to gather athe resulting book is published. When a journey is surprising amount of information from surprisingly fewfinished, she returns to her adopted home of Port-a- sources.Lucine. Madeline can also serve as an employer for the player characters, and thus an excellent excuse to get them to travel to a distant domain.Personality Don’t forget about the mysterious, foreign ghostsThe pursuit of knowledge is the one driving passion in Madeline sees from time to time, or the occultMadeline’s life. She has little inclination and even less shopkeeper’s promise that she would need the dagger hetime to think about such things as starting a family. When gave her . . . perhaps Madeline’s precious medallionshe is in the field, she is strictly business, and when she’s carries with it unforeseen consequences . . .not, she is still, for the most part, strictly business.

MAREK CRAWFORDStrangely, it is only when dealing with ghosts that sheseems to show sentimentality or emotion. She will domost anything in her power to help a restless ghost findpeace, even if it can’t repay her with historical Appearanceinformation.

M arek is a dark, brooding man with a Her ability to see ghosts is her prized secret. She depressed air about him. He is quiet andlet’s no one know of it, and never speaks to ghosts when private, and very uncomfortable in mostthere are others in earshot. social situations. He is a tall man with broad shoulders and a powerful build, andCombat he walks as if he were in constant fear of damaging his surroundings. His hair is an inky black, andMadeline is no fighter, but that doesn’t mean she’ll quail is unkempt and somewhat over grown. His eyes arebefore any fool with a sword in his hands. She has lived colored a dull, washed blue that looks almost gray.with the faces of the dead and damned since she was achild; it takes a lot to rattle her. When it comes tocombat, Madeline fights with the dagger given to her by Marek Crawfordthe occult shop owner. Though she doesn’t know it, the 11th-Level Human Fighter (Witch Hunter),dagger is a magical dagger +1, +3 vs. ethereal. Lawful Good Madeline’s other magical item is the medallion of Armor Class 10 Str 17ghost-speech, her most prized possession. While worn, Movement 12 Dex 14the medallion enable the wearer to speak with ghosts as if Level/Hit Dice 11 Con15a speak with dead spell had been cast. As with the spell, Hit Points 57 Int 14the wearer must know the language spoken by the ghost THAC0 10 Wis 17in life. Morale 15 Cha13

120 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSNo. of Attacks 3/2 enough and hateful enough that mere survival was noDamage/Attack By weapon longer enough. He needed to act. He could not take hisSpecial Attacks None revenge against Hazlik, not yet, so in 728 he left HazlanSpecial Defenses +2 to saves vs. magic (see below) altogether, and traveled north to Darkon. At that time,Magic Resistance Nil Hazlik still forbade the use of magic in his domain, so Darkon had been the center of magical study in the LandBackground of the Mists, and Marek had intended to learn everything about mages that he possibly could.Marek Crawford kneeled before the statue of Ezra in the In 731, Marek killed his first wizard, a TepestaniGreat Cathedral, fingers laced together and eyes necromancer who had been raiding the small graveyardsdowncast. He had most of the great hall to himself; there of Kellee. It was the beginning of an illustrious career.were few worshippers this late in the evening. Even in a Over the next two decades he would kill dozens of evilcathedral, under Ezra’s watchful gaze, few felt safe when mages, sometimes alone, sometimes in the company ofthe sun descended. Marek felt disgust at the lack of faith other famous hunters of evil. Dr. Rudolph van Richten,of the masses rising within him, but quickly swallowed it George Weathermay, Ivan Dragonov . . . he had workedand murmured a prayer of contrition, one more among with them and many others in hunting down the evil andmany. arcane. He knew Ezra had long ago forgiven him for the sins He would likely have continued on in his vengefulof his past, but he had not yet forgiven himself, and so he wrath forever, blind to the evil of his hatred, had he notfelt compelled to ask her mercy anew each week. He met a true champion against the darkness. Nearly twowondered if she found that insulting . . . years ago, he had met Tara Kolyana. If so, one more thing to seek forgiveness for. She was a few years older than he, but she had He had once thought himself a soldier of looked so young and fragile, especially beside him. Justrighteousness, a champion standing against the darkness. looking at her had let him see for the first time how hisHe had taken up his sword against the wicked, striking hatred and anger had aged him. Together, they haddown those who would harm the innocent. The people managed to find and capture a mage who had beenhad called him a hero, praised him for seeking out and bedeviling the people of a small Invidian hamlet. Hedestroying those who would seek to use evil magics would have killed the wretch, but she had not allowedagainst them. him to. Magic. Even now, the word sent chills up and down Under her guidance, that wretch was now a devouthis spine. Though he tried and tried again to let it go, to follower of Ezra, a redeemed man. She had healed a life,release the hatred that had consumed his life, he still felt where he had done nothing but take them. Seeing thehis hackles rise at the thought of mages. It was a mage power of her faith in action, feeling the shame of his ownwho had killed his parents when he was but a child, and sin, he had turned to Ezra himself, hanging up his sword.stolen his life from him. His faith still fit him poorly, and he was not yet Hazlik. He felt the back of his neck grow hot, felt his comfortable in it, but he had vowed to himself that heteeth clench. would not fail in this as he had at so many other things Hazlik had killed his parents, and he still didn’t know before.why. Sighing, he began his prayers anew. It had been 721. He was eight years old. He and hisparents lived in a small house in Toyalis. They were ofthe Rashemi people, the lower class of Hazlan, and life Current Sketchthere was hard, but they had been happy. Happy, until Marek was once one of Ravenloft’s foremost warriorsHazlik’s enforcers took his parents away, to the tables, against the creatures of darkness, particularly when itleaving him behind to die an orphan. came to fighting evil mages and arcanists. He was also a He assumed his parents had been accused of treason man consumed by his own hatred, wallowing in his ownfor some reason. Why, he could not say. As likely as rage and tortured by his own past. Now, guided by thenot, they had done nothing at all, but often an accusation example of Tara Kolyana, he has turned to the Churchwas all that was necessary for an execution . . . or worse, and abandoned his old career.as in the case of his parents, for experimentation. At the request of Tara, the priests of the Great It was his hatred that kept him alive during those Cathedral in Levkarest took Marek in. In return for foodyears alone, he knew. His hatred of Hazlik, and of the and lodging, Marek attends to whatever chores or laborswealthy Mulan people to whom Hazlik belonged, kept the priests request of him. Most of the rest of his time ishim alive when food was scarce and the weather grew taken up in prayer or in confession.cold. It had made him strong. Eventually, he grew strong

121BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSPersonality allowed them to fall by the wayside. Thus, until he spends time retraining and regaining his edge, MarekMarek is caught in a struggle within himself, an internal cannot use the special benefits of his kit. He also doesbattle over the fate of his soul. He believes his life of not have to carry his witch hunting equipment, but hisblood and battle has set him on the path to damnation, reputation as a witch hunter is still strong, and evil magesand he is now trying to reverse that fate. He understands still receive a +2 bonus to initiative in combat againstacademically that Ezra is a forgiving and merciful him.goddess, but somehow he cannot accept that on anemotional level and thus feels a constant need to redeemhimself again and again in her eyes. Using Marek His feelings toward Tara Kolyana run parallel to his Marek could be a powerful ally in any fight, particularlyfeelings toward Ezra. He loves her deeply, something he against an evil wizard, but it would take direhas not fully come to realize, but fears that she must see circumstances to lead him to turn to adventuring oncehim as a butcher and a monster despite every indication to more, and his guilt and self-recrimination afterwardthe contrary. would be truly epic. Still, an adventure involving Hazlik Marek’s feelings of shame result in him being as a villain, or a situation that puts Tara Kolyana in somewithdrawn and sullen much of the time, though kind of danger, could be enough to pull him out ofoccasionally a fire can be seen flickering in his eyes “retirement”.briefly before dying down again. He throws these Marek also has a small degree of influence within theremaining passions into his chores and duties at the Ezran church; at the very least, he could likely convinceCathedral, which he takes very seriously . . . even more the anchorites of the Great Cathedral to provide sanctuaryseriously than the priests themselves, it sometimes seems. for a time.

Combat ORINDA NAHLE

Marek now tries his best to avoid violence, but awarrior’s rage still runs through his blood, and a threat to Appearancethe Cathedral, the anchorites, or especially Tara Kolyana rinda is old, approaching her 85th year,

Ocould enrage him enough to lead him to take up a blade but one does not have to look very long toonce more. Should he do so, he fights as an 11th-level see the ghost of her youthful beauty. Herfighter, with the following additions. silver hair is tied back in a loose ponytail, Marek is a Witch Hunter, a specialized variant on the with wisps of hair falling forward to hangMonster Hunter kit presented in Champions of the Mists. by her temples. Her eyes are soft andEssentially, Marek is a Monster Hunter with evil mages blue, and her smile is warm; her features give her an auraas his “monster” of choice. Marek gets a +2 bonus on of kindness and gentleness that has lead many to dismissany proficiency or ability check that deals with tracking her as a little old lady and nothing more. This is a seriousdown and combating evil mages. However, unlike mistake. Orinda has seen much in her many years, andMonster Hunters, Marek does not receive a +2 bonus on she quails before nothing. When called upon to exerciseall damage rolls vs. his chosen enemy; rather, he receives her authority, she has a voice of steel and the bearing ofa +2 bonus on all saving throws vs. spells cast by an evil one who expects to be obeyed.mage. Marek’s very hatred and anger toward evil wizards She remains in surprisingly good health despite herfortifies his attempts to resist their magic. advancing age; her main concession to the years is her left Marek also suffers the special hindrances of the leg, which is lame and arthritic from an injury in herMonster Hunter class; his reputation is such that evil younger days. She requires the use of a cane to walk.mages are often prepared to fight him, and they receive a+2 bonus to initiative in combat against him. Whilehunting, Marek must also maintain a “moderate” level of Orinda Nahleencumbrance and no less, as he carries copious amounts 9th-Level Human Bard, Lawful Goodof specialized equipment (the details are left to the Armor Class 10 Str 7Dungeon Master; his arsenal varies depending on his foe). Movement 6 Dex 10 However, at the present Marek has essentially Level/Hit Dice 9 Con9forsaken his kit, and has lost the special abilities it would Hit Points 19 Int 16normally grant him. While the experience and desire for THAC0 18 Wis 15vengeance that fuel those special benefits still exist within Morale 16 Cha17Marek, he has done his best to suppress them and has No. of Attacks 1

122 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSDamage/Attack 1d2 or by weapon The informal leader of the informal party, LoranSpecial Attacks Spells Elbrian, pretended not to notice the eyes of the room asSpecial Defenses Spells he chatted nonchalantly with his companions. AccordingMagic Resistance Nil to the tales, he had been brought to this land from another world, stolen by the Mists. In that other world, he hadNotes: Orinda’s statistics have been adjusted to reflect her age, and are been a knight of highest standing and noblest blood, butthus far lower than one would expect for a 9th level character. here he was renowned for his humility and his insistence that “in this world apart, he was as any other man.” ItBackground was said that he was beloved of the gods; his touch, it wasDr. Rudolph van Richten was easily the most famous and said, could heal the gravest wounds, and the creatures ofmost successful monster hunter to grace the Land of the night were said to flee from his countenance.Mists, but he is far from the first. Stretching back To his right, Talaq al-Hirash sat stonily, his armsthrough the generations, men and women, both young and crossed and his eyes narrowed; many of the tavern’sold, have risked their lives in the effort to stem the tide of patrons turned away when his gaze fell upon them. Thedarkness. Orinda Nahle is one such woman, the last relic stoic warrior from the distant land of Pharazia was knownof a generation of heroes since passed. for his preference for privacy. Little else about him was Orinda Nahle (née Roys) was born in 669 in known, save that his twin scimitars were made of purestKartakass, in the village of Skald. Her father and mother silver and had been the death of many an monstrousjointly ran the town’s most popular and prosperous abomination.tavern, the Tippling Minstrel, and as a growing girl Beside him sat Tobias Stark, his hair, clothing andOrinda learned a great deal about the “art of serving”, as demeanor all black as the midnight sky. He was oftenher father called it. Though it wasn’t a hard life as such known as the Joyless, for he was never seen to laugh orthings go, it wasn’t a particularly fun one. Most of her even to smile. It was rumored that the loss of a lovedyouth was spent serving drinks, cooking meals and one, or several, had led him to take up arms against thecleaning up at night. She never received any formal night. He was the eldest of the group at thirty, and it wasschooling, instead being taught to read and write by her whispered that he was also the most dangerous. Stark’smother, and never really knew any children her age. Her eyes were firmly on the tabletop before him.one true pleasure as a girl was singing. Orinda was Beoryth the Blood Hound, by contrast, was usually inblessed with an angelic voice, even by Kartakan high spirits, and that night was no different. It was saidstandards, and an excellent ear for music. It did not take that Beoryth could track a crow through the nighttimelong for her father to recognize her talent, and by the age Mists, but all he seemed interested in tracking that nightof eight Orinda found herself singing on a near-nightly was a little female company and a great deal of ale. Hebasis for the Minstrel’s customers. Although young, she openly invited the stares of the crowd, meeting theirfound singing before the crowds to be more thrilling and stares with a wink and a grin, a grin that grew wider whengratifying than anything she had ever known a woman met his eyes. Orinda was forced to content herself with that Lastly sat Perryn Nahle, a handsome and dashingintermittent joy for the next eight years. Despite her young man who, it was said, had fallen into the career ofbeauty and appealing innocence, no one ever sought her an adventurer by accident. He was a young musician whoout for courting; the local boys were far too mindful of had met and befriended Beoryth in an inn one night, andher thickset father’s disapproving glowering to risk life somehow, through circumstances even he would haveand limb in pursuit of her. With no outside prospects been hard pressed to explain, found himselfapparent, Orinda finally resigned herself to the life of a accompanying the ranger on his monster hunts. Of thebarmaid . . . only to see her life forever changed that same five, Perryn was the youngest, barely twenty, but he hadyear, when they came into the tavern. quickly learned the ropes of his inadvertent career and They weren’t all that much older than Orinda, but was only marginally less famed than his fellows.they had seen so much more than her in their lives that And Perryn’s eyes were locked with hers.those each of those extra eight or ten years might as well Even as she served the various tables of the tavern,have been decades. The five of them sat at one of the Orinda never turned her eyes from Perryn’s for long, andtavern’s more private tables, for all the good it did them; always upon turning back she found him still watchingevery eye in the house was fixed squarely on them, some her. Her father noticed the two staring before too long,struck with awe, some narrowed with distrust, most but there was little even he could do to intimidate a mansimply wide with disbelief. Five of the most famous and like Perryn . . . nor was he brave enough even to try.infamous adventurers of the Core seated at a table in a When Orinda sang that night, she sang for the firstsmall Kartakan town. time, not solely for herself, and not for a tavern full of guests, but to a single man. As she sang, Perryn’s stare

123BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSsoftened, its intensity replaced by something else, spoke to her save to say an unkind word, never gave her asomething even more inviting that she couldn’t quite put a look that wasn’t tinged with venom. Her was relentless inword to. his prodding and scorn, and she left his company in tears When the five rose and left that night, Orinda left more than once. Over time, she found herself hardeningwith them, not saying a word of goodbye to her parents to his presence, and when she finally turned on him andfor fear that she might be forbidden to leave by her father, told him exactly where he could put his opinions, sheor talked out of leaving by her mother. could swear that she saw a smile hidden underneath his As she lay next to him that night, Perryn told her in thick mustache, though it was gone in an instant. Neverlow tones of the trials that were inherent in a life with again did he speak to her unkindly, treating her as ahim. She could stay at home in safety, as he went forth grown woman and no longer as a child.hunting monsters, and thereby lack for his company, or Perryn, for his part, shared with her the knowledgeshe could be always at his side and therefore always in gained on countless travels. She had never set footdanger of death or worse. Either would be a hard life, he outside Skald before, and the world was wider than shewarned. She must choose which she wanted, or if she had known. Perryn had an ear for languages and a headwanted neither. for customs and cultures, and he imparted to Orinda Intoxicated by his presence, enthralled by that night everything he could. He also shared with her stories andand enchanted by thoughts of a life of excitement, Orinda songs from across the Core, assuring her that there waschose to stay at his side . . . and thus began the life of an much wisdom to be found in them.adventurer. Perryn and Orinda were wed the very next It did not take long for Orinda to become aday, his companions the only guests. formidable monster hunter in her own right, and with her Orinda had much to learn, but fortunately her new friends and husband at her side she stood against some offriends proved willing and able teachers. Elbrian taught the most evil and frightening denizens of the Demiplane.her everything he could about swordsmanship: how to Despite the dangers and horrors she encountered, she washold a blade, how to swing it, and, most importantly, how never so happy as she was in those years. Unfortunately,to avoid being swung at in turn. After she learned the they could not last forever.fundamentals, he taught her more and more sophisticated Tobias Stark was the first of her fellows to die, lost totechniques: how to take advantage of terrain, how to the world when Orinda was 27. He was torn to pieces byanticipate her opponent’s movements, and how to end a Claude Renier and his rodentine servants in the sewers ofduel as quickly and efficiently as possible. He also aided Richemulot, his mysterious quest for vengeance neverher in physical conditioning, and under his tutelage she resolved. Loran Elbrian fell only five years later at thegrew ever stronger and ever quicker. Throughout it all, hands of a marauding werewolf pack. They managed tohe was patient and kind, willing to repeat a lesson as drive the wolves away, but Loran was mauled beyond themany times as was necessary for her to learn it and never power of faith to heal.seeming to grow frustrated. After Loran’s death, they decided to go their separate Al-Hirash, she would quickly learn, was the sharpest ways. She never heard what became of al-Hirash;of wit and quickest of thought in the group, and he trained presumably he returned to his homeland, where hopefullyher to exercise her mind and focus it on the object at he died an old man. Beoryth continued to gather fame ashand. Everything was important, he stressed. Take a slayer of beasts, until he was stabbed in a Dorviniannotice of everything and take nothing for granted. There brothel in the year 720. Though officially it was writtenare many things in the world that cannot be beaten with off as the sad ending of a drunken brawl, rumors that thesteel, but there was nothing that couldn’t be beaten by a famous warrior had been professionally assassinatedsharp mind. Her sessions with Talaq left her as drained continued for years.mentally as those with Elbrian left her physically, but she She and Perryn continued hunting for a time afterlearned much under the Pharazian’s tutelage, and found Loran’s death as well. Their last adventure, if such ahim a warmer and more jovial soul than she had expected. tragic event could be called that, would be a decade later,He became one of her closest friends. in the land of Gundarak. They had had many clashes with Beoryth, never one to ignore a pretty face, taught her the vampire lord of that land in the past, all of themthe basics of survival. He showed her which plants were inconclusive, and in the year 711 the Duke determined tosafe to eat and which ones meant a quick death, how to settle the score once and for all. Orinda and Perryn werefind fresh water when none seemed at hand and how to abducted from Invidia, where they had been staying at thefind her way in even the thickest forest. He also showed time, by several of Gundar’s agents, and brought beforeher how to hunt for her food, especially how to follow an the Duke himself.animal by its tracks. Gundar, in one of his rare jovial moods, decided to Stark taught her much as well, though she didn’t play a little game with his guests. Blindfolded and bound,realize it at the time. The grim Mordentishman never Orinda and Perryn were dragged to the heart of Castle

124 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSHunadora’s dungeons. There, there bonds and blindfolds managed to steal a horse. Returning to Hunadora onwere removed, and they were informed by Gundar that if horseback, she gathered up Perryn’s corpse and rode tothey could escape the castle’s walls, they would be Zeidenburg, where she had his body cremated. She thenallowed to go freely. As a token of fairness, the castle continued on to her homeland, Kartakass.gates would be left open. All they had to do was walk She thought about returning to Skald, but decidedthrough them . . . and stay ahead of Gundar’s “hounds”: against it, and instead headed to Chord, a tiny village invampiric slaves that would be pursuing them through the northwestern Kartakass. Her fame preceded her evenstone corridors . . . there, and the following year she won the village’s Orinda and Perryn began to desperately run through meistersingerhship with ease. Even now, over forty yearsthe unfamiliar castle, with Gundar’s laughter echoing later, she remains the meistersinger of Chord, and easilybehind them and his slaves materializing from the its most famed and beloved citizen.shadows to nip at their heels. For hours the game wenton, the vampires coming close enough that the two couldfeel the coldness of their bodies, only to drop back again, Current Sketchlaughing and hissing in mockery, while Perryn and Orinda remains the meistersinger of Chord, and isOrinda tried desperately to gain some sense of their accorded the amount of respect one would expect givenbearings. Finally, they emerged in the courtyard, the her station, age and reputation. She is well loved by themassive gate open before them as promised . . . and people, and it has been over a decade since anyoneGundar’s slaves decided that the game had gone on long bothered to challenge her for the meistersingership. Sinceenough. Rushing forward at inhuman speeds, they closed her singing ability and musical talent has not diminishedon the two as they dashed madly for freedom . . . with the years, it is unlikely anyone could unseat her even Perryn, recognizing that all was lost, stopped if they chose to try.suddenly and threw himself backward into the surging Chord is a small village, with its economy builtmass of vampires, screaming an exhortation to Orinda to around brewing. Meekulbern and other fermentablekeep going and not look back. Gundar’s slaves, thirsting berries and plants grows abundantly around it. Thus, thefor blood, fell upon Perryn like a pack of wolves, Orinda village enjoys greater prosperity than one might expecttemporarily forgotten in the frenzy of feeding. Moments for such a small settlement (population 65). The primarylater, when Perryn’s bloodless body was dropped to the hardship experienced by the villagers is wolf attacks, butground, several of them realized their error and dashed Orinda has seen to it that the local militia is well-preparedforward to stop her. One of them dug it’s claws into her to deal with them when they occur.left leg, tearing muscle and draining a draught of Orinda’slife with it’s cold touch. She fell forward, steeling herself Personalityfor her death . . . As a meistersinger, Orinda is fair but firm. She considers Death, of course, never came. Her momentum all advice but doesn’t give an inch once a decision’s beencarried her forward even as the vampire grabbed hold of made. So far, the villagers have no complaint about herher, and she fell onto the soft earth outside the castle’s as a leader or a judge.gate. The vampire slave reluctantly released her, On a one-to-one basis, Orinda is kindly andunwilling to flout Gundar’s commands, and withdrew generous. Any visitors to Chord will be invited to stay atback into the castle. Orinda, sobbing and bleeding, her home, as she loves having guests. She still lovesdragged herself forward across the grass and dirt, unable singing, and loves telling stories as well. Her tales of herto stand. Her slow progress was soon halted as a man time as a monster hunter can be quite gripping.suddenly stood before her. Looking up, she saw Orinda’s only vice is her growing consumption ofGundar’s smiling visage. In his arms, he held Perryn’s meekulbrau. Unlike most Kartakans, Orinda neversavaged corpse. developed a taste for it, but her late husband Perryn loved “Congratulations,” the Duke whispered. “You have it. Whenever she is alone, she tends to open a cask,earned your life, at the expense of his.” The Duke letting the smell and taste conjure up memories of herregarded the body in his hands, then dropped it roughly to love. She never drinks in public, however.the earth. “You may want to see that this is properly Orinda has not heard that Duke Gundar wasdisposed of . . . or you could wait. Perhaps your love resurrected recently, and if the gods are kind that newsmight return to you.” Gundar’s mocking, brutish laugh will be kept from her until her death. The news thatstayed behind as his form disintegrated into mist and Gundar had been destroyed and his domain carved updisappeared. eased a great deal of her ongoing pain over Perryn’s With Gundar gone, Orinda set about bandaging her death, and hearing that the monster has managed to cheatleg, and fashioned a crude crutch from the dead branch ofa tree. She hobbled to a nearby village, where she

125BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENShis own destruction will bring the pain surging forth light tan skin. His head is disproportionately large byagain. human standards, and his pointed ears are high on his head, sitting even with the temples of his wide forehead.Combat His features are large and grotesque, especially his wide mouth and large, flat teeth.While she was a fierce fighter in her youth, Orinda is far Unlike most members of his species, Tallwich is nottoo old for combat now. Now, her best defense is her a warrior and so does not wear armor or carry anystanding in Chord. Anyone seeking to harm Orinda will weapons. His only clothing are his sandals and a brown,have to wade through several dozen angry villagers. hooded robe that ends midway down his shins. It has no Orinda’s thieving skills are negligible now. Her lame sleeves, only holes for his arms.leg and aged body prevent her from climbing wallsdexterously, and her hearing has faded to the point wereshe can’t detect noise with any special ability. She can Tallwichstill pick pockets with some skill (30%), and her ability to 7th-Level Voadkyn Shaman, Chaotic Goodread languages has only grown with time (85%). She Armor Class 8 Str 18retains all other bardic skills, including the ability to cast Movement 12 Dex 16spells. She has gathered an impressive spell list over the Level/Hit Dice 7 Con10years; its contents are up to the Dungeon Master, but most Hit Points 28 Int 11of them will deal with monster hunting or performing. THAC0 16 Wis 16 Morale 11 Cha10Using Orinda No. of Attacks 1Visitors to Kartakass will find Chord a welcome and Damage/Attack 1d6pleasant place to rest as long as Orinda is the Special Attacks See belowmeistersinger. Orinda is a fabulous hostess, happily Special Defenses See belowproviding lodging, food and drink, and entertainment in Magic Resistance Nilthe form of songs and stories. She also has a great deal ofinformation and experience to impart; she has looked Backgroundseveral of the Core’s darklords right in the eye, and will Ravenloft is a land rich with folklore, impossible talesprovide whatever aid she can to a prospective monster sprung forth from the fertile, frightened imagination ofhunter. peasants and townsfolk vainly trying to achieve some Things will change a bit should Orinda discover that scrap of understanding of a world so frequently beyondDuke Gundar walks the Core. Unwilling to go to her their control. However, more often than one mightgrave while her husbands killer still stalks the living, she expect, the stories told in hushed whispers by firelightwill do anything in her power to drag him back to Hell sometimes hold an element of truth, and can serve asbefore she passes on. Since she is far to old to deal with warnings or guidance to those wise enough to heed thehim herself, she would instead search out a group of words. Even more rare is the tale which has nothing to doadventurers. Orinda does not want any innocent lives on with the grim and ghastly, ending with the death of someher conscience, so she would only employ those she fool lacking the sense he was born with, but is instead athought capable, but her desire for vengeance might cloud tale of hope, giving the teller and listener both the faith toher judgment in this regard . . . continue through one more despair-filled year. The tale of the Giant of Nartok is one such tale.

TALLWICH – THE GIANT It is not a tale which has been told long. Though the townspeople of Nartok will claim to a soul that the Giant has always been there, shepherding the weak and healingOF NARTOK the sick, those blessed with a decent memory and who have been through those parts before could tell you thatAppearance no tales were told of the Giant before last winter. The townspeople won’t abide such talk, of course; they know

A n attractive member of his species, their Giant has always watched over them. Tallwich is incredibly ugly by human Those who travel to Nartok hoping for a glimpse of standards. He stands a shade over nine the legendary Giant are doomed to disappointment and no feet tall, with a muscular build, though his small amount of heckling by the townspeople. The Giant, height makes him look lithe. He is as any fool knows, does not live in Nartok itself, but completely bald, from head to toe, with rather in the forest to the southwest. You needn’t bother

126 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSgathering supplies and hiring trackers, however; the Giant the pain diminish and then vanish, and felt his breathingis never found by those who seek him out. Only the lost slow and deepen. Miraculously, the giant had healed hisand wounded in Nartok’s sinister Forest of Shadows can wounds.expect a visit from the Giant, and then for only as long as Daedin was still too weak from heat and hunger toit takes him to heal their wounds or point them in the make it back to Nartok, and the giant seemed to recognizedirection of home. Then he vanishes once more into the this. Picking him up carefully in its huge arms, it walkedtrees, never having said a word. him back to the outskirts of the town, leaving him at the How, one might ask, can a giant (whom the edge of the woods before disappearing back into them.townspeople insist stands thirteen feet from sandals to Daedin walked slowly back into town, and the legend ofcrown) possibly stay so hidden in a relatively small patch the Giant of Nartok was born.of forest? And where did he come from? How exactly The Giant’s real name is Tallwich, and he has beendoes he heal the sick and injured? Question such as these living in the Nartok woods for less than a year. He waswill draw nothing but a hostile stare from the people of born on a distant Prime Material world, where he was theNartok and a curt instruction to go talk to Coby Daedin. shaman of a small band of voadkyn (known moreAll doubters are sent to Coby Daedin, who can rarely commonly as wood giants). Tallwich’s clan livedanswer the many skeptical questions but who will eagerly nomadically in the huge stretches of forest on his nativetell all comers the story of how he met the Giant, face to world, and as shaman Tallwich was responsible forface. contacting the band’s ancestor spirits and learning from As Daedin tells it, he was in the forest a few seasons them where the clan should move to next.back, hunting for deer in the early morning. After several On one such occasion, the spirits directed Tallwichunproductive hours, he finally chanced upon a target: a and the band to a large patch of old growth forest, wherestrong, healthy buck, at least thirteen point, drinking from the trees seemed to stretch endlessly upwards and the aira small spring. was calm and quiet. It seemed an excellent place to camp Daedin’s first arrow hit the beast in the back haunch, for a few weeks, and Tallwich was pleased and grateful toslowing it enough for him to keep pace as it clumsily fled. the spirits for their goodwill. While his fellows slept thatStill, it took half of his quiver to finally bring the beast night on the forest ground, Tallwich spent the nightdown. When the animal collapsed to the ground, Daedin communing with the spirits, expressing his gratitude andapproached with his knife drawn, ready to put it out of its making offerings. During this communion, a thick, heavymisery if it still lived, when it reared up to its feet and mist materialized, seemingly out of nowhere, in the midstdrove one of its antlers into his gut. It was Daedin who of the trees a few yards away from where Tallwich wasfell to the ground this time, hands clutched to his stomach sitting. The spirits fell suddenly silent, and Tallwich satas blood ran past his fingers, while the buck staggered on there alone with his thoughts. Deciding that this suddenonly to collapse and die a few yards away. mist must be an omen, Tallwich rose to investigate . . . Daedin lay there for what must have been hours, When the finally mists cleared from around him,waiting in agony to finally die, as the sunlight that made it Tallwich found himself alone in an unfamiliar and sinisterpassed the leaves burnt a speckled red pattern on his flesh part of the forest. The trees were unusual, the air had aand the ants and flies began to gather, attracted by the different feel to it, and his bandmates were no where to bescent of bloodied meat. Then, a huge shadow passed over found. Though he couldn’t have known it, Tallwich hadhim, and he believed for a moment that his worst fear had been abducted by the Mists of Ravenloft.come to pass; that rather than a relatively peaceful death,some forest predator had stumbled upon him and foundan easy meal. Current Sketch Instead, he felt a large hand fall on his shoulder and Tallwich has deduced that he was somehow removedgently turn him onto his back. Daring to open his eyes, from his home and deposited elsewhere, but mosthe looked up and saw the largest, ugliest man he had ever everything else remains a mystery to him. He believesseen kneeling down, hunched over him . . . until he that the spirits betrayed him, a belief compounded by thelooked closer at the jaw, and the ears, and realized that it fact that he can no longer contact the ancestor spirits ofwas no man at all. A scream rose up in his throat, only to his band. In the absence of their aid, Tallwich has madebe choked down by his own blood. contact with a few local nature spirits. These spirits are The giant paid little attention to Daedin’s panic, strange and unsettling compared to the one’s of his nativeinstead concentrating on his injury. Pulling away world, but they have provided him with their guidanceDaedin’s hands, covered with blood both dried and fresh, and a share of their power.the giant substituted his own, closed his eyes and Confused and frightened, Tallwich does his best tomuttered several words in a flowing language that Daedin avoid everyone. He wanders the stretch of forest betweendidn’t recognize. He felt a tingling in his stomach, felt Nartok and Stangengrad, hiding from the few souls he

127BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSencounters. So far, only the sight of someone in pain or cast each of his spells more than once per day. Each timein need of aid has been able to draw him out of hiding. he casts a spell he must make a Wisdom check; success Tallwich speaks none of the Core’s languages. His means that the spell is not lost and can be cast again thatnative language is somewhat similar to Tepestani in day. Each casting after the first imposes a cumulative +1sound and structure, but the two languages have no words penalty on the check. Tallwich regains all spent spellsin common. after a full night’s sleep. Tallwich has 90% resistance to sleep and charmPersonality spells. He has infravision to 90 feet.

Almost completely isolated from meaningful interaction

with other sentient beings, Tallwich is predictably Using Tallwichdepressed. This combines with his profound guilt over Tallwich is undoubtedly one of the strangest individualshaving “abandoned” the rest of his clan and his constant one could encounter in the Demiplane or Dread, and thatanxiety over the strangeness and newness of his is quite a statement. The only one of his kind in the Landsurroundings to make him deeply melancholy, even of Mists, it is a certainty that no one who encounters himslightly paranoid. Not even able to trust his own is likely to have any idea what exactly he is. A Dungeonsurroundings, or the spirits whose guidance was once so Master using Tallwich should play up his mystery. He isprecious to him, Tallwich is suspicious of anyone he sees never seen unless he chooses to be seen, and he rarelyand does all he can to avoid their attention. chooses to be seen. However, Tallwich is by nature a helpful, caring How, then, to introduce Tallwich into a campaign,individual, traits even his current despair cannot drive this given his penchant for remaining apart? Despiteout of him completely. It is this innate desire to help and Tallwich’s best efforts, he could not remain hiddenguide his fellow creatures that led him onto the path of forever. Already tales of the benevolent “Giant ofthe shaman, and continues to lead him to help those who Nartok” are spreading through Necropolis and intoclearly need his aid. Falkovnia and Lamordia. His “miraculous healing powers” are the subject of many a tale, and many areCombat those who enter the forests in search of a cure for some disease or disfigurement. Tallwich is able to avoid nearlyTallwich’s first strategy in combat is to avoid it. Aiding all of those who search for him, but the forest is only sohim in this are his natural voadkyn abilities: he can big and there are only so many places to hide. Should thepolymorph at will into any humanoid figure (3’ to 15’ in player characters find themselves in need of aheight), he can move absolutely silently in forested areas “miraculous healing”, they may be the ones to locate the(-4 to opponents’ surprise rolls), and, when standing still, Giant. It will then remain to be seen what aid he can givehe can blend into the surrounding vegetation so that only them.those who can detect invisibility can spot him. It is also possible that Tallwich might locate them. Tallwich’s next tactic is intimidation. He will take No forest in Ravenloft is without danger; the Forest ofthe largest, most frightening shape he can think of and try Shadows, in part of which Tallwich resides, is far moreto scare off his attackers. Only if that tactic fails will he dangerous than most. Many unnatural things stalk theengage in real combat, and even then always with escape night woods, and should the player characters be travelingfirst on his mind. through them they may find themselves the hunted. Tallwich’s spells are as follows: Tallwich, as eremitic as he is, will not stand by and watch any traveler be devoured in the night.1st level: bind fetish*, casting out*, circle of protection Finally, one must consider the people of Nartok and from spirits*, understand curse* Stangengrad, the two towns closest to Tallwich’s2nd level: bless, cure light wounds, transfer offense* demesnes. Though they look favorably upon their3rd level: perfect perception*, speak with animals beloved Giant for now, the mysterious and strange does4th level: cure disease not stay close to the hearts or Ravenloft’s people for long. How long before the Giant of Nartok is blamed for*: Spell found in the Shaman accessory. sickness and misfortune? How long before those who venture into the forests go, not in search of Tallwich’s As a shaman, Tallwich’s spells never change; they aid, but instead in search of his head? Even the lessare permanent gifts from the spirits. Only by beseeching superstitious might have reasons for seeking to capture orthe spirits for different powers can Tallwich’s spell slots kill the legendary Giant. The Carnival would certainlyever change, and doing so requires a very, very find him a fabulous freak, and Professor Arcanus couldcompelling reason. However, unlike priests, Tallwich can make a pretty penny by adding him to his traveling show,

128 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSwhile Galf Kloggin, the wererat who fancies the Forest of search of a better life elsewhere. Because it is illegal forShadows his, might not take kindly to a forest specter natives to cross the borders of Falkovnia into otherbringing hope to the people he is trying to keep under his domains, the service the Knights provide (for free) is anthumb. The player characters could find themselves important one, and a dangerous one.called on to aid these capture attempts, or compelled to The Knights have a variety of tools at their disposalhinder them. when it comes to sneaking refugees out of Falkovnia. One of the most important tools is the organization’s

THE KNIGHTS OF THE

small number of foreign members. Because foreigners are generally allowed to travel freely, members from neighboring domains form an important part of theASHEN BOUGH Knights’ network. Falkovnian natives and foreigners can be easily distinguished thanks to the eagle tattoos on theA Neutral Good Secret Society natives’ foreheads, so foreign members are often given the responsibility of actually taking refugees across the

A Falkovnian secret society, the Knights of the Ashen Bough are named for the trees border. A covered wagon and many healthy bribes can of eastern Falkovnia, one of which is allow a foreigner to sneak large numbers of Falkovnians rumored to burst into a pillar of flames for across the borders. Perhaps even more valuable are the every person executed by Vlad Drakov. Knights’ few mage members. Spells of invisibility, illusion and flight have bought many refugees safety.Membership To aid in their activities, the Knights have developed an extensive network of contacts throughout FalkovniaMembers of the Knights of the Ashen Bough must be of and into the neighboring domains. To limit the chancesgood alignment. Neutral Good and Chaotic Good are of discovery, these contacts are almost never developed inmost common. Most of the members are rogues, with the name of the Knights; rather, the individual agentsmany being priests of good alignment. There are a few always try to convey the impression that they are laboringmages, and a few warriors, followers of Marshal Vorbel in their own personal interests. Contacts have been madein quiet rebellion against Drakov. There are no ability with criminal guilds, both in Falkovnia and abroad, whorequirements, but high mental attributes (Intelligence, are often more than willing to flout Drakov’s laws inWisdom and Charisma) are considered a definite asset. return for gold, merchants and traders who are not averse to a little smuggling on the side, and in some cases evenRecognition political and military figures. Drakov and his minions are aware of the existence ofThe Knights have developed a fairly sophisticated range the Knights; the Knights are good enough that they areof hand signals that serve not only to identify fellow almost never caught, but the few who have been havemembers but also to convey short, simple messages been thoroughly interrogated before being executed.without the need of speech. This “language”, available However, Drakov has no idea just how extensive theonly to members, can be bought with a modern language organization is.proficiency. The Knights try to keep their knowledge of othermembers restricted to what is absolutely necessary for Organizationoperation. The Knights accept that anyone caught will The Knights try to stay as disorganized as possible whilereveal everything they know under the hideous tortures of still remaining an effective network, and they walk aDrakov’s soldiers, and restricting the knowledge of precarious line as a result. Too much organization putsmembers reduces the risks associated with being caught. the Knights at serious risk of being captured en masse, while too little organization hampers theirActivities intercommunication and seriously hinders their effectiveness. After much experimentation, the KnightsDespite the name, the Knights of the Ashen Bough are not feel they have struck an effective balance.a military organization. Rather, they serve as an The nominal leader of the Knights is Marshal Oswaldunderground railroad of sorts, funneling those trying to Vorbel, a high-ranking officer in the Falkovnian militaryescape the tyranny of Drakov out of the cities and into who founded the organization three decades ago. Sinceneighboring domains. Many of those they rescue are then, it has expanded far beyond what he possibly coulddemihumans trying to escape slavery; others are escaped have hoped. As the Knights have grown in size andcriminals falsely accused or victimized by unjust laws (of effectiveness, he has been forced to limit his involvementwhich Falkovnia has many) or even peasants simply in with the group for fear that his proximity to Drakov and

129BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENS MARSHAL OSWALDhis soldiers could put all of them at risk. He now haslittle to do with the running of the Knights at all, but onthe few occasions he decides to step in hisrecommendations are generally followed. The actual leadership of the Knights falls to the VORBELCaptains, of which there are four. Each Captain residesin one of Falkovnia’s major settlements, and is Appearance

Iresponsible for directing the Knights’ actions in that city n amazing shape despite his incredibleand the surrounding area. Their main responsibilities are age, Oswald Vorbel cuts an impressiverecruitment and the allocation of resources. Each Captain figure, particularly in full military dress;has four to eight soldiers under his command, but they he rarely wears anything else. He standsavoid coming into direct contact with their subordinates. an impressive 6’1”, despite the fact that heInstead, they will usually choose one of their soldiers as a has started to hunch slightly with age, andliaison to the others; the liaison will pass along the his frame is nearly as broad and muscular as it was in hisCaptain’s orders, and the other soldiers will most likely prime. Still, a close observer can see the signs thatnever meet their Captain. The soldiers are the rank and Vorbel is not much longer for this world. He moves withfile of the Knights, and those who are responsible for a careful deliberation that reveals the pain in his joints,actually getting people out of Falkovnia. They are given his once rock -steady hands have a noticeable shake, anda high degree of freedom in their actions; generally they a close listener can hear the rattling wheeze in his breath.will only need a Captain’s intercession when they have His body would likely have surrendered to age long ago,need of resources they cannot otherwise acquire (money, but his incredible force of will keeps him going, andhorses, a covered wagon, etc.). going strong, until he finally burns out completely. Because each soldier is unlikely to know more thanone or perhaps two of his fellows, they are forced todevelop elaborate networks of contacts, people outside Marshal Oswald Vorbelthe group who are kept in the dark about its existence and 14th-Level Human Fighter, Neutral Goodactivities but who nevertheless are used to its advantage. Armor Class 10 Str 14An individual soldier might have contacts in the local Movement 12 Dex 11thieves’ guild, with local merchants, or might even have a Level/Hit Dice 14 Con11“drinking buddy” or two among Drakov’s soldiers. Thus, Hit Points 63 Int 17the Knight’s influence is greater than their small numbers THAC0 6 Wis 15might indicate. Morale 16 Cha15 No. of Attacks 2 Damage/Attack By weaponHeadquarters Special Attacks NilThe Knights of the Ashen Bough have no formal Special Defenses Nilheadquarters, and almost never gather together in large Magic Resistance Nilnumbers; the risks are simply too great. When necessary,instructions are passed through word of mouth. For themost part, though, instructions are not needed; each Backgroundmember of the Knights simply does his best to help any Oswald Vorbel has been a follower of Vlad Drakov forrefugees in his sphere of influence. over six decades. He was with Drakov when the Mists first brought the Talons of the Hawk into the Land of the Mists, and ever since has served him as one of his most trusted, most respected and highest ranking military officers. Though clearly nearing the end of his military career (he is over eighty years old, and has not aged nearly as well as Drakov has) he remains one of Drakov’s favored military officers. He is also Falkovnia’s mostNotable Personalities highly placed traitor. Vorbel joined up with Drakov at a young age, driven by visions of the excitement of travel and the glory of battle. It did not take long for him to become disillusioned and jaded by the true horrors of warfare, but he had a natural talent for both the grit of actual combat

130 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSand the larger world of tactics and logistics that served he can often be seen smiling or laughing, with a genuinehim well over the years. twinkle in his eye. Vorbel had never been comfortable with Drakov’smore bloodthirsty tendencies, and control of his ownnation has only made Drakov worse. Before, Vorbel Combatcould rationalize Drakov’s excesses; they served to Vorbel is still a competent warrior, but he has alwaysdemoralize the enemy and discourage mutiny among the been most dangerous in the general’s tent. He is anmen, and the Talons were ill-equipped to care for outstanding strategist with an intuitive grasp of militaryprisoners anyway. In Falkovnia, however, against an science. If not for the supreme power of Ravenloft’sinnocent peasantry, the old flimsy rationales utterly failed, darklords in their domains, he and Drakov could likelyand Vorbel was forced to confront the horrors he had have marched across the Core by now. Of course, Vorbelbeen denying for so long. Finally unable to support himself has no desire to add to Drakov’s holdings.Drakov any longer, but realizing that an open repudiation In personal combat, Vorbel fights with a broadswordwould result in his death, Vorbel found a way to hinder and shield, from horseback whenever possible. Hethe pogroms from within. In 723, he gathered several prefers chain mail armor, but wears plate when thelike-minded soldiers under his command and founded the circumstances call for it (usually no more than half plate;Knights of the Ashen Bough, a group with the goal of he is elderly, after all).funneling innocents beyond Drakov’s reach. Bela Mitrovic, hf, T9 (Invisible*): AC 10; MV 12; hp 28; THAC0 16; #AT 1; Dmg by weapon; SZ M (5’10”);Current Sketch ML champion (15); Str 12, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 16, WisThe Knights have been more successful than Vorbel 13, Cha 15; AL NG.could have hoped, and have become a network Personality: Dedicated and Intensesophisticated enough that they should persist long afterhis death. In fact, he now has little involvement with the * Kit found in Champions of the MistsKnights’ operations, trusting their direction to a numberof trustworthy individuals spread across the domain. He Bela Mitrovic has been a member of the Knights forhas intentionally limited his involvement over time, over ten years, and is one of its most valuable agents. Shereasoning that his high visibility could hinder the is a soldier in the Silbervas area, and her remarkableorganization in the long run. Still, when he chooses to skills have been the salvation of many of that city’sbecome directly involved, the Knights listen to his every unfortunates . . . and the elimination of those who havecommand. tried to interfere. Additionally, Vorbel hinders Drakov in ways not Bela is very tight-lipped about her past; asking aboutrelated to the Knights whenever possible. He is still her life before the Knights is a sure way to get on her badamong Drakov’s highest ranking and most trusted military side. She gets even more annoyed with those ask aboutofficers, and he uses this position to every possible her name, which happens often; Bela is, after all, a boy’sadvantage. For example, in military campaigns against name. She doesn’t appreciate it when people point thisFalkovnia’s neighbors, it always seems that the cruelest out.and most cold-hearted of the officers under Vorbel’scommand get the most dangerous assignments. Aldo Phence, hm, W10: AC 10; MV 12; hp 22; THAC0 Recently, Vorbel met clandestinely with Gondegal, 17; #AT 1; Dmg by weapon; SZ M (5’8”); ML Averageleader of the Knights of the Shadows. An informal (10); Str 9, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10; ALalliance between the two groups of Knights has begun; NG.with Gondegal striking at Drakov overtly and Vorbel Personality: bookish, compassionateundermining Drakov’s military from within, this alliancemay prove very effective. Aldo is one of the few mages in the Knights, and is extremely important to the organization as a result. Too valuable to be risked in the “field”, Aldo spends most ofPersonality his time researching new spells to help in funnelingVorbel is gruff and distant; he never lets anyone get too refugees to other domains. His current project is a spellclose. He does his best not to let his disgust for Drakov to remove tattoos and brands, so that Falkovnian refugeesand his regime show, but rather than risk it he simply can be free of the stigma that marks them as chattel.avoids personal contact as much as he can. Aldo is quiet and thoughtful, and believes strongly in On the battlefield, the fiery energy of Vorbel’s youth the importance of rational thought and logical action, butbegins to shine through once more. In honorable combat,

131BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT DENIZENSdespite this he is easily moved emotionally and is deeplysympathetic to the plight of his fellow Falkovnians.N

132 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT LOCALES

WAYWARD ON THE BONE SANDS They Hope You’ll Stay for Dinner by Beeto Lyle klyle@princeton.edu

THE STORY OF WAYWARD avenues. He would carve them up into little pieces with his two long blades and devour the bite-sized remains so as to leave no evidence of his horrible crimes. No oneCaleb Wicks could tell a Black Hat story around the hearth better than

E ven at ten years of age, Caleb Wicks was Horatio Wicks and Horatio exploited that gift to terrorize mostly fearless, and therefore powerful. his young brother whenever Caleb’s behavior seemed to He was a precocious bundle of energy and warrant it. Horatio could reduce Caleb to cowering in unrepentantly disruptive young man, with three minutes flat once the talk of Black Hat began. a glib tongue and a steely self-possession Caleb deeply resented the power that his brother lorded that, in the end, bent other people’s wills over him, but, nevertheless, the boy could not conquer histo his own. He was never known to heed his parents, fear of the Black Hat legend. In a short time, Caleb cameteachers, or playmates. When authority figures of any to despise Horatio as much as he feared Black Hat.sort disciplined Caleb, the child responded only withsullen shrugs and viperish glances. Since Caleb wasinsensitive to punishment of every sort, there was no The Bone Sandsapparent way to keep him out of trouble short of tying One day, the lord of the Hangingshire requested thathim to a post (a suggestion put forth with surprising Ornette Wicks teach the lord’s son the art of rhetoric.regularity). Ornette was obliged to pack up his family and relocate to Who can say why these things were true of Caleb? the far-flung, frontier shire. The long trek to the seat ofCaleb’s father, Ornette, was a hard, pragmatic man (albeit the rugged shire required a dangerous passage through thea civil one) and a teacher of rhetoric to the children of the desert called the Bone Sands. Along the way, during aupper classes. Perhaps Caleb inherited some of his bull- sudden sandstorm, the Wicks family wagon becameheadedness from the paternal corner. Caleb’s more separated from the caravan with which it was traveling.mannered older brother, Horatio, had certainly acquired Before Ornette could bring the wagon to a halt, theOrnette’s eloquence, and Caleb himself was developing vehicle veered over the edge of a tall, steep dune. Thethe same skill. Horatio was appalled by his sibling’s wagon was damaged beyond repair, and so was Horatioserial disobedience. The elder brother often would use when he was thrown from the coach and grievouslyhis quick tongue to form the two simple words that he injured. The family was lost on the blazing wastes of theknew would strike fear into Caleb’s heart and cause Caleb Bone Sands.to walk the straight and narrow, if only for the moment. At first, while they waited for the caravan to send aThose words were “Black Hat”. search party after them, Ornette, his wife, Carolina, and Black Hat the Swordslinger was an infamous villain his two sons were able to survive on the flesh of theand all-around bogeyman in the parts where Caleb grew horses that had drawn their wagon. When this food ranup. Dressed entirely in midnight black, including a wide- out, and no help came to the stranded group, Ornette sawbrimmed hat pulled down to conceal his eyes at all times, that he was left with no choice but to try to walk out ofit was rumored that Black Hat would assail strangers— the desert. Unfortunately, Horatio’s injuries were suchmen, women, and children alike—on dark, lonely

133BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT LOCALESthat he could not be moved. In fact, it was very likely that The townspeople hardly could doubt the strangehe would die in short order. boy’s story; the youngster himself surely was not capable After as much rumination as the dire circumstances of the gruesome crime that confronted them. All thewould allow for, Ornette told Carolina that they would citizens of Wayward adopted Caleb. Caleb managed towait until Horatio died and then use his remains for stay out of trouble for an entire year and during that timesustenance on the journey out of the Bone Sands. It was a he became an extremely popular member of theterrible choice for a father to come to, but, Ornette community. As he did not need to employ his keen wit toreasoned, at least Horatio could be of some use to his cover up his wrongdoing, he instead could channel hisfamily in this way. Ornette tried to keep the knowledge cunning into charming his newfound extended family.of this decision from both of his sons. Nonetheless, The Waywarders were in need of a new town crierCaleb snooped it out, and, at night, just before bed, he and message-runner. Caleb’s boundless, youthful energytaunted his brother with the whispered tale. Upon and his bright-as-a-gold-piece voice made the boy thelearning his fate, Horatio let out a holler that was sure to obvious choice to fill the position. Caleb took to his newwake Ornette and Carolina, who had already retired for job with relish, as it gave him license to be smack dab inthe evening in the battered shall of the wagon. Caleb the middle of other people’s affairs on a regular basis;knew that he would get in trouble for this mess. Incensed under similar circumstances in the past, he always hadby Horatio’s cries and desperate to silence them, Caleb’s been chastised for meddling.hand closed around the cooking knife that had been leftby the campfire beside the wagon. Caleb skewered The Lean TimesHoratio on his sick bed. Several miles from Wayward, a quiet gnomish community Ornette and Carolina were distraught beyond words, thrived beneath the Bone Sands. The name of the villagebut what could they do with their ten year-old son now? was Rumbleton, because minor earth tremors sometimesThat was always the question where Caleb was rattled the region. Rumbleton’s sages had divined that noconcerned. What could be done? Nothing at all, Caleb such quake ever would be strong enough to threaten theknew, but to carry on with the plan to draw life from safety of their homes. Unfortunately, these experts wereHoratio’s death. The Wicks supped on the flesh of their mistaken. One day a powerful tremor struck and itown flesh and blood. Caleb thought that this was an brought Rumbleton’s sandy ceiling down on the heads ofespecially fitting and delicious irony. its inhabitants. The lives of many gnomes were lost in the The trio broke camp the next day. Unfortunately, disaster.another sandstorm kicked up without warning and Caleb Those gnomes who survived the catastrophe went towas separated from his parents. With no food and no the human settlement of Wayward to plead for sanctuarycompanions, Caleb stumbled around the desert for several while they tried to put their shaken lives back in order.torturous days. Late one night, quite by accident, tiny, They received the shelter that they sought, but improvingwasted Caleb drifted into the town of Wayward on the their miserable situation was no easy task. RumbletonBone Sands like so much tumbleweed. had been built in the only stable, accessible ground for countless miles around. The gnomes had nowhere to goWayward to reestablish a new permanent home. Their time inThe boy was mad with hunger. Caleb was approached on Wayward unexpectedly stretched into months, and thenthe dark street by a kindly townsperson who was alarmed into more than a year.by the youth’s frightful, pitiable appearance. Caleb saw The gnomish refugees began to start families inthe stranger as an opportunity to sate his hunger. When Wayward and put down roots. The small town could notthe citizen drew near, Caleb slew the man with the same support the dramatic increase in population. Survival hadcutting knife with which Horatio had been killed and always been tenuous on the Bone Sands. Now resources,carved. Caleb feasted on raw flesh and then ran off to especially food, became dangerously scarce. The Leanhide until the dawn. Times had begun. In the morning, the people of Wayward found the The town elders did not know what to do about thebody of the murdered man, who happened to have been famine. Too many people were going without. Thethe town crier. Caleb abandoned his hiding place and Waywarders gradually became hostile toward theirappeared in the midst of the crowd surrounding the body. gnomish guests. These un-neighborly sentiments wereAs always, Caleb sought to avoid punishment for his stirred up by the daily reports of their roguishlymisdeed. He explained that he had been kidnapped and charismatic, eleven year-old town crier, Caleb Wicks.brought to Wayward by none other than Black Hat the During the Lean Times, it was Caleb’s responsibility toSwordslinger. Caleb said that he saw Black Hat kill the provide detailed information about the state of the town’scrier. dwindling supplies. Caleb also kept careful count of the

134 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT LOCALESnumber of gnomes being born in the gnomish shanty gnomish children would grow up to be enemies of thequarter of Wayward. human community. Some Waywarders already had the One day, Caleb announced that an “emergency” good idea of burning the gnomes’ houses. Now it wasmeeting “for humans only” was convening to discuss a time to do the same to the occupants of those shacks.“course of action” in response to the “gnomish threat”. They should cook the gnomish children and grow healthyThe town crier was present at the meeting. The hungry again on their sweet flesh.Waywarders were surprisingly receptive to Caleb’s The people of Wayward thought that theirsuggestion that they eat some of the gnomish babies. charismatic town crier made very good sense. Caleb sawAfter all, Caleb argued, the gnomish infants could the situation with the innocent clarity of youth. The Feastcontribute nothing to the town’s welfare in its time of would be cause for a celebration the likes of which thegreat need. And, besides, weren’t they just the perfect town had not seen since before the Lean Times began. Ifsize to fit in the townspeople’s cooking pots and on their Wayward was going to do this desperate thing, let it bedinner plates, both of which had been empty too often as done in the spirit of unity. A large force of men wasof late? Caleb could not remember when Wayward had assigned the task of rounding up the babies. Theinvited these “extra” gnomes into the community. The goodwives would do the cooking. In his role as townnewborn gnomes were as dangerous as an invading army. crier, Caleb invited each and every citizen of Wayward toBy eating them, something good might yet be born out of gather at the town hall for the Feast. Clever Caleb wouldthis tragedy. act as honorary master of the ceremony. And if any Although Caleb’s proposal sparked heated gnomes protested the Feast, then they would have to bediscussion, it was (of course!) rejected as the misguided silenced.musings of a well-intentioned child. But as the week Gnomish resistance was expected, but Caleb and hispassed and word of the town crier’s suggestion reached followers were disappointed when some of the nativethe gnomes, animosity grew hot between human and Waywarders declined to do their civic duty. A group ofgnome. The survivors of Rumbleton were understandably humans refused to take part in the Feast and they evenenraged by Caleb’s ghoulish recommendation. The little tried to inform the gnomes of the planned abductions.people became suspicious of their human hosts. The resisters were stopped before they could betray In turn, the Waywarders took offense at the gnomes’ Caleb’s cause. The “Advocates of Hunger” wereindignation. The gnomes stayed in Wayward at the imprisoned in the cellar of the town’s church.humans’ clemency. How dare these poor vagrants dictate Preparations for the Feast proceeded normally.how their benefactors would resolve the problem that the The deed was done under a full moon. It was a madrefugees themselves had caused? Perhaps, the citizens of night. The dinner bell, struck by Caleb’s small hand, rangWayward thought, some of the gnomish children should out furiously again and again like a banshee’s cry—or abe taken, if only to teach the parents a lesson in self- baby’s. Blood and wine flowed like water. The Feastcontrol. was a disgusting orgy, and at its center was the town crier Meanwhile, Caleb continued to mouth supporting with the lyrical, bell-like voice, Caleb Wicks.arguments for his plan, both in private encounters with Brandishing the knife he had used to murder his brother,influential townspeople and in his public reports. One Caleb cut the first serving of the evening, and he was thenight, a gang of gnomes attacked Caleb. He was badly last to leave the ruined mess hall at dawn.injured, but quickly returned to running messages around After the Feast, the gnomish population of Waywardtown. The Waywarders gasped at the bruises and rose up in arms against the monstrous humans who hadabrasions that they saw every day on Caleb’s adorable, hunted them. There was savage fighting in the streets ofboyish face; the injuries were a constant reminder of the Wayward. All of the outnumbered gnomes wereassault. Although Caleb’s assailants were known to him, slaughtered within two days. The bodies of adults andhe would not identify them. Caleb testified that he had children alike were collected and eaten as soon as the lifenot seen who had assaulted him. Therefore, every gnome had been hacked out of them, if not sooner. Waste not,was a suspect. want not, Caleb schooled. There was more violence. Humans set fire to several After all of the gnomes were eliminated, the humangnomish shanties. Many gnomes died, as did a handful of traitors were released from the church cellar and led tothe arsonists in the retaliatory brawl that took place on the the mess hall very much like so many lambs to thestreets of the shantytown. slaughter. The rebels shared the same fate as the gnomes that they had tried to protect.The Feast After the last piece of flesh was consumed, the gorged Waywarders slept soundly with their bellies full ofCaleb stated his case plainly. Human blood had been hate and evil. Sometime in the small hours of the thirdspilled. The gnomes would never leave Wayward. The night of the full moon, an unlikely fog descended on the

135BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT LOCALESquiet, bloody town. When the morning came, things had the shacks were burnt to the ground and the asheschanged in Wayward. Wayward became an Island of scattered on the wind, but some of the hovels still stand.Terror in the demiplane of Ravenloft, and its citizens The largest house in Wayward belongs to Mayor Jedtransformed into quevari (RAVENLOFT MONSTROUS Loomis. This fine structure is directly across the streetCOMPENDIUM Appendices I & II). Caleb Wicks was the from the sheriff’s office.lord of the new domain. The moon is perpetually full in Wayward. The nights are very long; the moon rises at 5 PM (when the

WAYWARD ON THE sun sets) and sets at 7 AM the next morning (when the sun rises).

BONE SANDS Cultural Level

Chivalric.The Land The Folk

T he domain of Wayward is composed of the town proper surrounded by about five miles of desert in every direction. The During the day, life in Wayward is painfully uneventful. desert is home to cacti and a minimal Existence is hard in the desert, but the people eke out a amount of other sorts of desert-blooming living. The folk tend meager gardens and hunt the small vegetation, but mostly it is dominated by animals that live in the desert. There is a saloon calledblazing hot sands. Temperatures in the desert soar as the Lean Times (complete with a dime-store-type woodenhigh as 110 degrees Fahrenheit at midday. The Mists of orc which is used as a throwing block), a smith, aRavenloft do not appear at the edges of the desert. seamstress, a general store, a carpenter, and all of theInstead, the desert appears to stretch out endlessly to the other usual trappings of a rugged frontier town. The darkhorizon. This horizon is always obscured by a powers provide raw materials that the Waywarders cannotshimmering heat mirage. obtain for themselves. Wayward is built around a deep well. There are There are no children in Wayward, save for Caleb.small trees throughout the town that provide some meager When the town entered Ravenloft, all of its human youthsshade. The Waywarders live in simple clay and brick were left behind. Moreover, the men and women of thehouses, although there are a few wooden structures. After town suddenly found themselves incapable of producingdark, the center of activity in town is the large mess hall any more offspring, save in those instances when one of(formerly the town hall) that stands in the northwestern the women has given birth to the latest incarnation ofcorner of town. The interior walls of the hall are streaked Caleb (see above).with blood, although during the day the townspeople will Another oddity is that all of the food and drink inattempt to explain this away as the stains of an unfinished Wayward tastes so terrible as to be almost inedible. Inpaint job. fact, characters must make a Constitution check to avoid At the northeastern edge of Wayward, an abandoned retching the first time that they taste any food or drinkchurch dedicated to the patron saint of the sun bears mute, that is either native to the town or brought in from theindignant witness to the dark deeds that are perpetrated in outside (including heroes’ rations). If they fail the check,the town each night. The citizens have rejected their they develop an aversion to the food and do not wish toformer religion altogether, and have vandalized the small consume any more of it. The appearance and smell of thechurch from time to time. The former pastor, Adrian victuals are ordinary in every way. The only thing thatHood, is now the deeply troubled and conflicted town tastes as it normally would is the flesh and blood ofcarpenter; he has had difficulty reconciling his new sentient creatures.existence as an evil thing with his former clerical training. A common insult bandied about by the citizens of Beside the church is an ill-tended cemetery, complete Wayward is “The flesh of your mother is stuck in mywith fallen and leaning headstones, choking weeds, and teeth.” If characters raise the ire of any of thedefaced holy symbols. Beyond the cemetery, to the north townspeople, they are sure to hear this unusual slur. Theof the town, is the shallow bone pit in which the Waywarders profess that they are at a loss to explain theWaywarders toss the bones of their many victims, origin of the insult.including the gnomes of Rumbleton. The townspeople The denizens of Wayward lapse into a sort ofalways cover up the top layer of bones, but the depression hibernation on the third day following the arrival of ais noticeable to anyone who comes near. visitor in the town. Most of the time, the Waywarders lie The burnt-out remains of the gnomish shantytown dormant, sleeping in their homes and expending almostdominate the southwestern corner of the town. Most of no energy. Therefore, they require very little sustenance

136 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT LOCALESand can survive by feeding on the rare stranger or two Level/Hit Dice 5+2 Con16that drifts into town. When a visitor is brought into the Hit Point 40 Int 16desert surrounding Wayward, Caleb becomes aware of THAC0 14* Wis 9this new presence in his domain and wakes from his No. of Attacks 2/1 Cha17sleep. Caleb then runs around town, rousing his Damage/Attack 1d3+4 (w/knife), 1d3+1 (fist)neighbors, much as any young boy would do when he Special Attacks charm person 1/day, Chimewakes up full of energy before anyone else. By the time of Hunger 3/day (see below)that the stranger walks down Wayward’s main street, the Special Defenses Thief abilitiescitizens are active and going about their normal daily Special Vulnerabilities See belowlives. The Waywarders remain active for three days and Thief Abilities: MS 85%HS 85% DN 85%nights, corresponding to the three nights of the full moon CW 95%and the Feast. At the end of the three days, usually afterhaving eaten the strangers who woke them, the citizens * THAC0 rises to 11 when wielding knives.fall back asleep. Caleb is eleven years old. He is 4’7” tall andNative Player Characters painfully, dangerously thin, save for his face which retains a boyish roundness. He has a limp, colorless mopNative player characters from Wayward are not of hair with long, unkempt bangs that sometimes obscureappropriate. his pale eyes. He has a big, gaping smile. His teeth are surprisingly large, strong, and healthy, given his overallThe Law poor physical condition. The scores in parentheses above reflect his abilities when he is under the influence of theCaleb Wicks rules the town of Wayward, but during the bloodmoon.day he is known only as the town crier. The folk refer to Caleb never goes without the now-magical knife (seeMayor Jeduthun “Jed” Loomis as their leader. Mayor below) with which he killed his brother, Horatio. TheLoomis heads a council of town elders who write laws long, wide blade, kept in a simple leather sheath, seems toand adjudicate trials. be the sturdiest thing about the bony child. Mayor Loomis’ brother, Silas, is the town’s sheriff.Silas has two deputies (1st-level fighters) equipped withshort swords, clubs, shields, and leather armor. Current Sketch At night, when the bloodmoon rises, the crazed folk During the daylight hours, Caleb is unaware of his statusrecognize Caleb as their lord and serve him with perfect as lord of Wayward. He splits his time between takingloyalty. classes with the town schoolmarm, Mistress Chatty, and carrying messages and doing odd jobs for the citizenry.Encounters He is fed and clothed by the townspeople who dote on him, as they might on any orphaned child. Caleb has noThe only dangerous creatures in Wayward are the permanent home. While the sun shines, no one speaks ofquevari. The small tract of desert cannot support any Caleb’s position as lord, but the Waywarders will come tonatural predators that threaten man. Characters have only the boy’s impassioned defense if he is threatened. Theya 10% chance per day of having an encounter while rationalize this as the natural reaction of adults to seeing awandering the desolate Bone Sands. Common encounters child in harm’s way.include foxes, hawks, lizards, and moles. Uncommon After dark, under the perpetual full moon ofencounters include quevari, snakes, and vultures. Wayward (see below), Caleb falls under the spell of the bloodmoon, as do all of the townspeople. At this time, Caleb behaves in every way as a bloodthirsty killer and a ravenous cannibal. His first priority is to lead the Waywarders in hunting down any travelers who have lingered in town past sundown. Caleb views all strangers as threats to the town, just as he saw the gnomes ofLord of Wayward Rumbleton.

Caleb Wicks Caleb retains his paralyzing fear of Black Hat the Swordslinger at all times. Forcibly presenting Caleb with5th-level Quevari Thief, Chaotic Evil references to that bogeyman (much as one would presentArmor Class 10 (6) Str 9 (17) a holy symbol to ward off a vampire) require the boy toMovement 12 Dex 12 (18) make an immediate fear check. These references must be

137BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT LOCALESfairly elaborate; they cannot consist merely of the can bite for 1d3+1 points of damage. Whether stabbingrecitation of the words Black Hat. Appropriate allusions or biting, Caleb may attack twice in each round.include a short story about Black Hat’s atrocities Caleb’s thief abilities are better than the average(requiring at least one round to tell), or disguising oneself quevari. If possible, he uses these abilities to strike withas the swordsman in front of Caleb; the Dungeon Master surprise. One of Caleb’s favorite tactics is to lead a bandshould encourage the player characters to be creative. of quevari in a series of hit-and-run attacks on theirWhen Caleb fails a fear check, he responds in the victims; these strikes slowly weaken their quarry.standard way, save for the following change: He has no Caleb has the innate ability to charm person once achance (0%) of dropping his knife when he runs away. day as per the wizard spell. He must be able to speak inNote that, like anyone, Caleb gets a +1 to his fear check order to exercise this power.roll if he faces the same threat more than once in a day. Caleb has an old, plain dinner bell in the shape of a Forcing Caleb to confront his fear of Black Hat can triangle. The bell functions as a Chime of Hunger (seebe a double-edged sword. If Caleb’s fear check succeeds, the DUNGEON MASTER Guide). Caleb and all otherthe lord has steeled himself up against the terror and he Waywarders are immune to its effects. He may use thetries to do the same thing to his would-be tormentor as he bell in this manner three times a day. He also can use thedid to his brother, Horatio. Caleb fights with a +1 bonus bell to summon 2d6 quevari to do his bidding. Theyto hit and to damage against characters who have taunted arrive at his side in 1d2+1 rounds.him. Also, since Caleb never purposefully enters meleealone, it is likely that other Waywarders will cover hisback if he flees. These quevari fight with a +2 to hit Adventures in Waywardwhen they are defending their lord, as they are appalled The key to the effective use of Wayward, as with manyby the torment of a child. other RAVENLOFT institutions, is to spring it on the players Caleb cannot be killed by any conventional means. without warning. Under no circumstances should theIf he is reduced to 0 hit points, his body decomposes players expect a game set in Wayward to possess anywithin minutes. Within a week, one of the women of supernatural or RAVENLOFT-type elements. Moreover,Wayward will find herself mysteriously pregnant. After a players should not even realize that the town of Waywardmonth, she will go into labor just as the bloodmoon rises. and its inhabitants are the focus of a given gamingThe infant she gives birth to is Caleb Wicks reborn. The session, until the players are in the midst of the scenario.child develops so rapidly that within another month, he The Dungeon Master should establish the existence of theagain appears to be eleven years old. town in his campaign setting, but downplay its Caleb himself never ages past eleven years. He is importance. The heroes should always have somethingtrapped in a child’s body for all time, although his mind more immediate and important than Wayward to concernmay grow increasingly cunning and ruthless. themselves with. Wayward is a good setting for a game involving relatively low-level characters (approximately 3rd level),Closing the Borders who already have had some experience in the DungeonWhen Caleb wants his borders sealed, an army of Master’s campaign. The town of Wayward easily can betornadoes whirl to life all across the desert, throwing up inserted into the history of any campaign setting thatsandstorms and making travel out of the town exceedingly includes a sparsely populated desert on its map. As thelethal. Caleb always closes the borders whenever anyone heroes adventure near the desert, they should hear ofattempts to leave Wayward. Wayward’s evil reputation. Since the town is so isolated, no news from Wayward ever reaches more cosmopolitanCombat ears. In fact, no one is precisely sure where the settlement is located anymore. Travelers through theCaleb has all of the normal abilities of a quevari, although desert cannot locate Wayward any longer; some folksthe dark powers have augmented some of these talents. attribute the disappearance to poor map-making, whileCaleb’s knife is now a knife +3. Caleb inflicts 1d3+3 others suggest that the town was wiped out by some sortpoints of damage with each successful knife attack. of natural disaster. No one cares enough to conduct aFurthermore, any wound inflicted by his blade bleeds thorough search for either the town or its citizens.profusely. A character wounded by the knife loses 2 hit Occasionally, a traveler passes through the desertpoints each round until the wound is bandaged (an act near the former site of Wayward and reports strange heatrequiring one full round). This effect is cumulative with mirages and other bizarre goings-on in the area. Perhapsmultiple injuries. For example, a character who suffers a priest or missionary once went out to Wayward, neverthree wounds from Caleb’s knife automatically loses 6 hit to return home. Folks say that the clergyman was sweptpoints each round until the wounds are bound. Caleb also up in a cyclone.

138 BOOK OF SECRETS: RAVENLOFT LOCALES The Dungeon Master can lead the heroes to